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THE LIFE AND LETTERS 



OF 



Rev. Lewis Almed Wickes, 



BEING A BRIEF NARRATIVE OF HIS LIFE, AND THE 

LETTERS CONNECTED WITH HIS LABORS IN REVIVALS OF RELIGION 

IN NORTHERN NEW YORK. 



Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."— Mark 16: 15. 






COMPILED BY HIS WIDOW. MRS. CYYIillA , WICKES. 



~ir\. 



CHICAGO: 

FAIRBANKS, PALMER & CO. 

1884. 







COPYRIGHTED BY 

MRS. CYNTHIA WICKES, 

1883. 



t HAS. N. TRIVESS, PRINTER, 
CHICAGO. 



/ 






TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

ChapterI. — Narrative. Birth, Early Education and Conversion. 9 

Chapter II, — Commencement of Ministerial Work 12 

Chapter III. — Pastoral Labors. At Stows Square and Antwerp. 20 
Chapter IV. — Correspondence during His Early Ministry, from 

1830 to 1833 26 

Chapter V. — Correspondence during Pastoral Work, from 1833 

to 1841 50 

Chapter VI. — Beginning of Evangelistic Work. Revival at Nor- 
folk 80 

Chapter VII. — Revival Meeting at Massena. Removal of Family 

to Stows Square 95 

Chapter VIII. — Meeting at Canton and Waddington 103 

Chapter IX. — Revival Meeting at Morristown. Birthday Letter of 

1841 127 

Chapter X.— Meeting at Parrishville 144 

Chapter XI. — Meeting and Sickness at Hermon. Revival at De 

Kalb 151 

Chapter XII.— Revival Meeting at Ogdensburg. Texts 163 

Chapter XIII— Meeting at Huvelton and De Puyster 174 

Chapter XIV. — Meeting at Lisbon and Birthday Letter for 1842. . 183 
Chapter XV. — Meetings at Woodville, Copenhagen, and Rodman. 207 

Chapter XVI. — Meetings at Belleville and Adams 218 

Chapter XVII.— Revival at Mansfield 226 

Chapter XVIII. — Meetings of 1844 at Huvelton, West Potsdam, 

and Madrid 235 

Chapter XIX. — Second Meeting at Massena and Chateaugay, 

1845 247 

Chapter XX. — Meetings at Burke, Lawrenceville, Moira. Birthday 

Letter of 1845 262 

Chapter XXL — Meetings at Malone and Gouverneur 278 

Chapter XXII. — Meeting at Oswego 295 

Chapter XXIII.— Birthday Letter, 1848 308 

Chapter XXIV. — Revival Meetings at Boonville, Brownville, La- 

Fargeville. Birthday and Letter to Mother. . 315 
Chapter XXV. — Revival Meetings at Depauville, Cape Vincent .. . 335 

Chapter XX VI. — Meeting at Copenhagen and Last Sickness 348 

Chapter XXVII. — Funeral Sermon and Testimonials. Closing 

Words 355 



PREFACE. 

In compliance with the urgent solicitations of many 
respected and dear friends of the deceased L. A. 
WlCKES, and hoping to benefit those now living, who 
once enjoyed and were benefited by his life, and also as 
his memory is still sacred, that it may continue to be 
cherished by children and grandchildren. 

It is attempted in a brief narrative to present some 
of the arduous labors selected from numerous letters con- 
cerning the successful revivals of religion where God in 
His kind providence marked out the path for our faithful 
and beloved friend to labor. Being well aware of the 
difficulties, at this late hour, to do justice to what the 
Lord wrought, by His instrumentality, yet it is desired to 
encourage others to trust in the Lord, as His servant 
did, knowing the promises are sure to the obedient in 
His blessed cause. 

We therefore send out some incidents of a faithful 
life, praying that to the inquiry "Who is on the Lord's 
side?" many may respond as did the subject of this 
memoir, unreservedly "Here Lord am I. What wilt 
thou have vie to do ? " 



AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO SUB- 
SCRIBERS. 



A PEN PICTURE OF MRS. WICKES. 



As most of the subscribers for the Life and Letters 
of Rev. L. A. Wickes will expect a portrait of Mrs. 
Wickes also, it is due them, to say, that at the exceed- 
ingly low price which she offered her book and the great 
personal sacrifice at which she has been, in order to have 
it printed at all, forbid any more expense. 

And so it has been thought by some of her nearest 
friends that a brief pen sketch of her life would satisfy 
your expectations. Owing to her natural diffidence and 
failing health it has been by a great deal of persuasion 
that she has yielded to have this sketch written, and 
only acquiesced at the thought that it might be of en- 
couragement and benefit to others and advance the 
cause of her Lord whom she desires above everything 
else to honor. Her parents were of puritanic stock and 
emigrated from Connecticut to northern New York when 
there was only a bridle path from Utica northward. 
Cynthia Wilcox was born Feb. 3, 1804. Her first recol- 
lection was learning to walk and of sitting in the foot of 
the cradle rocking her sister thirteen months younger 
than herself. Then when she was two and a half years 
old of riding to school on horseback with her father 
and being lifted off by the teacher. Being of a very 
religious turn of mind she recollects, when a very small 

vii 



viii Introductory JVote to Subscribers. 

child, of holding a blade of grass in her hand and wish- 
ing the Lord would turn it into a needle (as her mother 
had but few and could only procure more by sending to 
Utica, fifty miles away) so she might sew together some 
pieces that had been given her. At the age of seven 
years her first religious conviction of sin began on being 
told by a young cousin who was visiting at her father's 
house and who had a New Testament which she read 
with C, that she was a sinner, that everybody w r ere sin- 
ners. She thought her father and mother could not be 
but the cousin said yes ALL were sinners, that Jesus had 
died for all who would repent and believe on Him. Two 
or three years after the cousin died and left as a parting 
gift to C. the New Testament, which she valued highly 
and spent much of her spare time in reading and com- 
mitting to memory many passages. She remembers be- 
ing much impressed by sermons preached by the Rev. 
Isaac Clinton in 1808. About the year 1816, under the 
ministry of Father Nash, her parents united with the 
Church and brought all their children (then seven in 
number) forward for baptism. Some weeks after, while 
yisiting at their house, questioning C. about her religious 
faith Father Nash asked her if she loved the Savior. 
She replied, "He was the one altogether lovely." He 
asked her if she would not like to unite with the people 
of God and she assented. So when all Christians of all 
denominations were gathered together in the old school 
house where the church usually met for Sabbath worship, 
she was requested to stand up on a bench and ''give in" 
her "religious experience," which she did," and Father N. 
asked all present who thought it a Christian experience 
to hold up their hands. From that time she spent much 



Introductory A r ote to Subscribers. ix 

time reading such books as Baxter's Saints' Rest, Dod- 
ridge's Rise and Progress and Mrs. Hannah Moore and 
such like works. A ladies' Missionary and Library Society 
was organized and C. was chosen secretary and served 
as such for years, In 1820 a young man who united 
with the church at the same time C. did, and was study- 
ing for the ministry started the idea of a Sabbath School 
and organized one with twenty-five members. She be- 
ing the oldest of the scholars was asked to hear a class, 
as their exercises consisted chiefly in reciting Scripture 
verses from memory. And from that time to this there 
has never been a time, unless prevented by very severe 
illness, that she has not gathered a class about her upon 
the Sabbath for instruction in the Bible. A few years 
ago, a former pupil of hers at Stows Square, while on a 
visit to her western home and speaking of that Sabbath 
School said; "The best S. S. ever WAS." The children 
were always nearly all converted while in her class ; her 
constant aim was to guard them and bring them into 
the fold of the Good Shepherd. About 1826 the tem- 
perance movement commenced in the East, and people 
began to see bad effects from the use of malt or dis- 
tilled liquors, and a pledge against such liquors was cir- 
culated. 

One was brought to Miss C, while she was sitting 
at her loom weaving her day's work for family wear, 
and she immediately wrote her name. Afterward, the 
Washingtonian movement swept over the land and her 
father and mother with the older members joined it and 
received certificates of membership. 

During the years 1821 and 1822 Miss C. attended 
school at Lowville Academy, then under the preceptor- 



x Introductory Note to Subscribers. 

ship of Prof. Taylor. During the year 1831 while teach- 
ing the day school at Stows Square a revival broke out 
among the children and nearly all the school "indulged 
a hope in the Savior." At this time Mr. Wickes came to 
Stows Square, the result of which is found in the nar- 
rative. 

Diffident to attract public notice, it was not until 
after her marriage that she broke over the custom of 
"women keeping silence in the churches." He encouraged 
her to feel "that clothes stuffed with straw would not 
hinder her from praying before them, and men were but 
lumps of clay covered." She entered heartily and with 
an eye single to God's glory into every reform that pre- 
sented itself, signing with her husband upon marriage, a 
pledge of total abstinence from all kind of liquor, tobacco,, 
tea and coffee, which pledge she ever kept. Though she 
well remembers when ministers and deacons joined with 
all others in drinking from the full bottle and pitchers that 
were ever kept ready on the sideboard for all callers. 
After her husband commenced his evangelistic labors 
she with her little children returned from Antwerp to her 
father's house, where she made her home for nearly five 
years, attending prayer and maternal meetings, and hav- 
ing always a class in Sunday School, but when at all 
consistent with other duties, she accompanied her hus- 
band in his arduous, but to them delightful labor of lead- 
ing souls to Christ. During this stay with her family at 
Stows Square, temperance and anti-slavery causes be- 
came greatly agitated, and were made by herself and 
friends subjects of special prayer, but the minister and 
leading members of the society were exceedingly "con- 
servative and forbid them to bring such subjects into 



Introductory Note to Subscribers. xi 

their social meetings, treating them with coldness by 
shutting the door in their faces or closing the meeting be- 
fore giving them opportunity to take any part, con- 
sequently they thought best to quietly remain at home. 
Some sympathizing friends coming in each Sabbath to 
have a prayer meeting, or read a sermon, or anti-slavery 
lecture, as many stirring articles were being widely pub- 
lished, and so as a family they were strongly enthused 
by these and kindred subjects, and that no farther 
trouble should be made by the society, they wrote 
and sent in a "Withdrawal." 

[Mrs. W. never ceased her work of teaching the Word 
of God both in S. S., and in a week day evening Bible 
class attended for years by adults and young people.] 

But "the society" were not content to let them leave 
thus peaceably saying "Our S. S. is all run down, w 
can't afford to lose their support," so sent them a 
citation to "appear before the church for covenant break- 
ing." 

Mrs. W. had already arranged to assist her husband 
in a very interesting revival, and as a number of the family 
had planned to attend a large Abolition Convention at 
Antwerp, and accompany her on her way ; feeling that 
the more important occasion, they did not attend the 
"Church meeting." The "Church" however met, and by 
an ex parte trial by vote of sixteen "cut off" ten of 
the absentees, but as Mrs. W. had a good excuse to go 
to assist her husband they put off her trial, and after 
several postponements, and an appeal to the Presbytery, 
where an earnest effort was made to have her vindicated 
and truth alone made to appear. Mr. W. sympathizing with 
his wife in all reformatory causes thought that justice 



xii Introductory Note to Subscribers. 

would be done if the facts and truth were known. And 
while not willing to hinder the revival meetings in which 
he was engaged, hoped to carry on by writing and brother 
ministers, a satisfactory conclusion of the matter. But 
the clerical brethren were fearful that the anti-slavery cause 
would divide their churches, and so did not allow all the 
facts to appear. And at a special called meeting of "the 
Church" the then pastor pronounced her (5 against 4) 
" Cut off from all Church fellowship with man, and no 
doubt with God." The Presbytery at length decided 
"There is nothing against Mrs. Wickcs 1 Christian and 
moral character, and if she will recall her " Withdrawal," 
she may be re-instated into Church fellowship" but no 
word was promised of Christian liberty on the great moral 
questions of the day, and she felt to say, "What I have 
done I have done." 

As Mrs. Wickes had only done what she felt as her 
duty to do, she had no regrets, or apologies to make. 
The long experience she had passed through and believing 
that "If ye know these things happy are ye if you do 
them," and "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in 
the things that he alloweth," led her to see, more and more, 
that the fellowship of Christians was one thing and man- 
made churches and sects another, and the more she was 
made the object of scorn the more she was led to close 
reading of the Bible and prayerful meditation. When 
the glorious liberty of the Gospel revealed itself still 
more fully to her consciousness she realized that he that 
loveth is born of God and " Through One Spirit" Ave all 
have access to the Father, and "There is no other name 
given under heaven among men whereby we can be 
saved," "But he that believeth on the Lord Jesus Christ 



Introductory JYote to Subscribers. xiii 

shall be saved," " and to him shall be given a new name 
that no man knoweth save him to who it is given." And 
therefore, "the Bride, the Lamb's wife," is known by the 
Bridegroom, and as no voting by brothers or sisters, or 
strangers, can make a child belong to its parents, so no 
human power can create the relation of a child to God 
and if born of God all are by the "spirit of adoption," 
already "members of the General Assembly and Church 
of the first born" and members one of another. "Grow- 
ing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and 
Saviuor Jesus Christ." "Not forsaking the assembling of 
yourselves together.'' Finding in the written word of 
God an all sufficient guide for "All Scripture is given by 
inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, 
correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man 
of God may be thoroughly furnished unto every good 
work." Truth never acting in opposition to itself. And 
as the "law of the Lord" is exceeding broad, extend- 
ing to every thought " so no condition or reform but will 
find direction or guidance in the blessed Bible, there- 
fore made her courageous to accept and put in practice 
all reforms when made clear to her conscience. While 
visiting a daughter, in Fulton, 111., in 1859, she was cor- 
dially invited to the charge of a Bible class, which she did 
to the acceptance of the members. After returning 
home where a feeble grand child needed her sympathiz- 
ing care, being a naturally skillful nurse, her attention 
was drawn to the dress of women as affecting the lives 
and health of not merely themselves but their children, 
and she adopted the dress reform costume which she has 
worn for the last twenty-four years. 

The subject of equal rights was very forcibly brought 



xiv Introductory Note to Subscribers. 

to her notice by an incident soon after her husband's 
death. The pathmaster called to warn her of her road 
tax. According to New York law, Mr. W. had never 
been taxed, and she asked why she should be, as a 
widow. The answer was, " Not being a minister and 
holding property it must be taxed." "But," said she, " I 
am not as able as was my husband," " Can't help it, ITS 
THE LAW " was the reply, ■" And I warn you on the road 
to-morrow at 8 A. M. with such tools as you use in your 
garden." And so amid the tears of her children, accom- 
panied by a little orphan boy staying with her, and 
whom she directed to take his Testament along to study 
his S. S. lesson, she was set at work on the road by the side 
of the burying ground wliere her husband lay. Was 
ever place more fitting to think of enactments that re- 
quire "Taxation zvithout representation? It was with 
her, and her daughters, a life lesson. The anti-slavery 
question had expanded to one of human rights, regard- 
less of sex. " In Christ Jesus there is neither male or 
female for all are one." 

In 1863 she accompanied her children and their fam- 
ilies to Iowa and settled in Humboldt Co. She has ever 
sought to exemplify her belief by her life, " that others see- 
ing her good works may glorify God, and finding in 
every loving heart a brother or sister. She is now in her 
eightieth year. Her memory and faculties of mind are 
clear. Heart warm and in sympathy with the young 
people about her. Interested in all that interests the 
children and grandchildren, and the one littlegreat grand- 
daughter. Though suffering daily the most intense 
bodily pain, she sends out her little book hoping in the 
life she has tried to portray, an example that may be the 



Introductory Note to Subscribers. xv 

means of winning many souls to Christ, and her oft re- 
peated expression is " And now Lord, what wait I for, 
my hope is in Thee." " Who shall separate us from the 
love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Truly 
of her may well be said as of another 

"Humility, religion's choicest grace. 
Adorned her life throughout her earthly race ; 
Meekness, through life her tender soul inspired. 
While holy zeal, her ardent spirit fired. 

Sectarian pride and selfish party zeal 

Her free-born soul disdained to feel. 

Her liberal mind, her -wide expanded soul, 

Loved all the saints, and fellowshiped the whole. 

Pure love for souls oft made her spirit yearn, 

While she in tears prayed sinners to return. 

Long will " The Church" her absence sad deplore; 

But, ah ! 'tis ours to tremble and adore 

Jehovah's ways. We'll humbly kiss the rod. 

And bow submissive to the hand of God." 



CHAPTER L 



BIRTH AND EARLY EDUCATION. 



^EWIS ALFRED WICKES was born at Hyde 
iS Park, Dutchess County, N. Y., December 8, 
f/Y%& 1809. He was the eldest of ten children, and 
remarkable for his natural vivacity and affectionate dispo- 
sition. His opportunities for Christian instruction in 
early life were rather limited, as his parents were not 
professedly religious. 

He often spoke of his grandfather's taking him with 
him to meeting and seating him upon a low seat before 
the altar, and of standing, when very small, in the orches- 
tra and singing, as he had an excellent voice and liked to 
join that part of worship on the Sabbath. 

After several removals, his parents settled in Troy, 
N. Y., where he was surrounded with many temptations, 
as youths of his age, of convivial affinities in cities, 
always are. When his dear parents became Christians, 
espousing the cause of Christ, and erected a family altar, 
Lewis' heart rebelled against such an idea as being sum- 
moned to come daily around that altar. He told his 
brother he would run away from such a place. As he 
was his mother's main dependence in assisting about 
household affairs, she had very severe trials on this sub- 
ject with him. His father was constantly engaged in 
business, and could not be with his family during the day. 



10 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

His mind was not wholly at ease on the all-important 
subject of his soul's salvation. His father's prayers and 
his mother's warnings often aroused his consciousness of 
sin. While procrastinating, he tried in vain to shield 
himself under the doctrine of Universalism. 

In 1826 Rev. C. G. Finney held a protracted meeting 
in Dr. Beman's church, the society with which his 
parents were connected at that time. Under the pre- 
sentation of Divine truth he became fully convicted of his 
guilt as a sinner against God. So absorbed were his 
thoughts on his own sinfulness that he imagined the 
preacher speaking his name out audibly while he sat in 
the crowded gallery. 

He was so sure it was so that he tried to stifle his 
feelings, and, aiming to conceal them, hastened home and 
asked his mother, who had been anxiously praying for 
him, why the minister mentioned his name. His parents 
Conver- were not blind to see the workings of the truth 
sion. upon his heart, and prayers went up unceasingly 
in his behalf. For several days his agony seemed almost 
unbearable. Satan was not willing to give up his slave, 
but in mercy the Lord heard prayer; the chain was 
broken, the captive set free. He came out an emanci- 
pated, praying soul, consecrating ALL to God, and was 
faithful in the performance of every duty that was made 
known to him. With other young converts, he became 
an active member of the church and society, engaging in 
the Sabbath School and Temperance cause. 

His father had apprenticed him to learn the carpen- 

R . ter s trade. He soon felt anxious to acquire an 

work for education, that he might be prepared to labor 

Master more efficiently and extensively for the cause of 

his Savior and the salvation of precious souls. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 11 

This was his constant theme of prayer. Christian friends 
encouraged him to make this aim his life-work. Accord- 
ingly, he bought his time of his employer, gave his note 
for one hundred dollars, hoping a kind Providence would 
enable him to pay, which in after time he satisfactorily 
accomplished. 

In the month of May, 1826, with several of his asso- 
ciates who desired to study for the ministry, he went to 
Whitesborough and commenced his studies in the semi- 
nary at that place, their tuition being partly paid by a 
_ . . society of ladies in Troy. His parents furnished 

Straitened J , 

circum- him with an outfit for present necessities, as bed- 
stances, ding, clothing and books. For about two years 
he shared with the others in the funds supplied by the 
ladies for their tuition, paying the amount lacking by his 
own labor. He also gained the confidence of his teacher 
and fellow-students. While attending the seminary he 
went out into the neighborhoods, engaged in Sabbath 
schools and prayer-meetings, also assisted pastors and 
ministers when revivals of religion prevailed in that sec- 
tion, and was said to be " missed " when not present in 
prayer-meetings. 

In April, 1830, his parents sent for him to return 
home, and bring all his things with him, as, with their 
increasingly large family and limited means, they could 
not, without incurring a debt, help him in things neces- 
sary to continue longer in school. 



OHAPTEE II. 



EARLY MINISTRY. 




N May, young Mr. Wickes complied with his 

parents' request and returned to Troy, but with 

reluctance at leaving the revival work in Oneida 

Called County, in which his whole soul was engaged. 

home. He was dispirited, and in suspense as to the 

Discour- course the Lord would have him take; but he 

aged, trusted Him to direct his steps, and He shortly 

Way opened his way, as the following, selected from 

opens. m any letters received from interested persons at 

Remsen, shows, who felt they had received benefit from 

his influence and labors. 

Letter from Rev. Mr. Waters, June 15th, 1830. NEW 
HARTFORD, Tuesday morning, June 15, 1830. 

Mr. Wickes. 

Dear Sir : I last evening returned from Remsen, 
seventeen miles north of Utica, where I have preached 
for the three Sabbaths past. I hasten this morning to 
answer your letter, and would remark that my situation 
as a minister of the Gospel would not admit of dis- 
charging the duty of instructor; neither would my tem- 
poral domestic arrangements admit of such a place as you 
would need. Yet, Sir, as I feel interested in your case, 
and very ready to afford you all the aid in my power, and 
as I perceive you are determined on leaving Troy, I will 
remark that in Remsen, where it is most probable I shall 

12 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 13 

preach this summer, there is an academy, the preceptor of 
which has lately been converted, and in that place there 
is now a revival. Should you see fit to come right on, I 
should be glad to see you, and would find you some work 
there in the vineyard. Board is but $l.OO per week, 
tuition $4/50, and I think it very likely I might find you 
some way of earning your board. * * * Should 
you think of visiting R., you had better walk out from 
Utica to my house. You have friends in this neighbor- 
hood who will be glad to see you. 

The work in Floyd continues, and has become power- 
ful in Holland Patent and Trenton. There is now a 
precious line of revival from Floyd to Remsen. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. Waters. 

Young, with a limited education and an empty pocket, 
but with the prayers of his parents for his usefulness in 
the vineyard of the Lord, he set out on his journey, not 
knowing, like Abraham, whither he was going. 

He found friends in the families of Revs. Waters and 
Foot, much interest being taken in and shown him while 
Began to laboring in connection with them in the extensive 
labor, revivals of religion that prevailed throughout all 
that region. In the town of Trenton he became ac- 
quainted with a Rev. Mr. Stowe and a Miss Mary 
Fowler, (she afterward becoming a missionary of the A. 
B. of F. M. to India), both of them from Oxbow, Jeffer- 
son County, N. Y. They earnestly requested him to go 
to that place, and assist in meetings in that vicinity. 
But a severe attack of typhoid fever prostrated him, 
during which time he was faithfully and kindly cared for 



14 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

in the family of a Mr. Wiser. After his recovery, being 
repeatedly solicited, he decided it was the Lord's will 
that he should go to Oxbow. Arriving there in the 
month of October, he assisted in organizing a temperance 
society, also conference and prayer-meetings, with great 
success. 

In the month of March, 1831, he went to the village 
Visited °f Antwerp, was cordially welcomed, and ever 
Antwerp, afterward kindly entertained in the family of 
Mr. A. Whitford, an officer in a small Presbyterian society, 
which at that time had no minister, and was dependent 
on the Home Mission Society for preaching, but seldom 
had any. It was a place noted for all kinds of immor- 
ality, especially on the Lord's day. 

He did not expect to remain but a few days in that 
place, but, having found a destitute society, that had been 
organized in 18 19 with eight members, desiring to see a 
better state of things both in and out of the church, being 
earnestly solicited, he commenced house-visiting and 
holding meetings, giving exhortations, and lecturing on 
the subject of temperance. An increasing interest, as 
well as numbers, became manifest in the meetings, not- 
withstanding the frivolities, carousals and drinking so 
... prevalent among the inhabitants. He remained 
in revival there until the month of May, and there were 
wor ' some fifteen or sixteen hopeful conversions. He 
then attended several protracted meetings in that region, 
at Evans' Mills, Brownville, and other places. 

The friends in Antwerp were very reluctant to have 
him leave. He had such hold on the affections of the 
people, especially the little church, they hoped and prayed 
his return might be speedy to them. Letters were 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 15 

addressed to him while attending the meetings at the 
Health above-named places, urging his return. In the 
failed, month of August his health became so poor it 
was thought advisable to take a trip across the lake 
to Canada, which, though attended with severe sea- 
sickness, proved beneficial. He was invited to take 
part in meetings at B., in Lower Canada, from which 
afterwards a Christian brother wrote to have him come 
over and become their minister. He returned to Sackett's 
Harbor, from which place he wrote to his good friend, 
Mr. Whitford. On his way back he stopped at Cha- 
mount Bay. While there he wrote a letter to his 
parents, and another to his sister, A. M., whom he had 
recently heard had become a Christian. His affectionate, 
winning manners, and extensive opportunities to become 
acquainted with human nature, made him successful in 
obtaining access to the heart and conscience of those 
with whom he conversed, together with faithful devotion 
to his precious Bible (which he called his " sword "), and 
unceasing secret communion with God, as well as prayer 
and exhortation in every place where he could be a wit- 
ness in the cause of Christ. These were all instrumental 
of his success in that village. We learn the result of his 
On page l aDors in his letter to his dear parents. He 
continued his studies until the month of March, 
1 83 1. He wrote to his parents, wishing them to request 
a letter of dismissal, and of his standing in the church of 
T . , Troy. He obtained his request. The church in 

Licensed J *■ 

to preach Antwerp gave him a call to become their minister. 

by Riier k 0n his return > in the month of May, 1831, he 

Associa- applied to the Black River Association for, and 

obtained a license to preach. He commenced his 



16 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

labors in Antwerp, and, with his usual enthusiasm, 
engaged in visiting from house to house, and three 
meetings on the Sabbath, and as many or more during 
the week. A gracious work of grace seemed to hover 
over the whole community. The place of worship became 
so thronged the people began seriously to talk about a 
meeting-house. They felt they were poor, but it was 
thought best to~ proceed and do what they could. A 
subscription was drawn up, a building committee chosen, 
and their minister chosen their agent, which was a great 
addition to his labors, both of body and mind; for he 
still felt he must pursue his studies, and the salvation of 
souls must not be neglected. However, he entered into 
the work, remembering the Savior worked as a carpenter, 
and " came to minister, and not to be ministered unto." 
The work went on ; the church found the Lord on the 
giving hand, ready to open the windows of Heaven and 
pour out a blessing when the hearts and hands were open 
to the requirements of their spiritual wants. 

September 5th, 1831, he passed a critical examination 
, before the Black River Association, and was 

Accepted _ ' 

as Licen- accepted as a licentiate of that body, to preach in 
tiate. a jj ^ chyles the Gospel of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. They ever afterward found him to be one of the 
most efficient laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. His 
counsels and prayers will long be remembered as a true 
brother in the ministry, denying himself to promote the 
spiritual good of all the churches where Providence called 
him to labor in the cause of Christ. He was eminently 
successful in Sunday-schools and in the cause of moral 
purity, and all his energies were called out in the promo- 
tion of the temperance and anti-slavery enterprises. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 17 

Always discountenancing profanity, consecrating the Sab- 
bath as a day blessed of Heaven, especially in the 
dispensation of Divine truth for the conviction and 
conversion of souls to God ; remembering ALWAYS to 
pray without ceasing for the aid of the Holy Spirit. He 
continued his active labors in Antwerp until the meeting- 
house was finished, and an ordained minister was 
employed. He then pursued his studies, following the 
leading of Providence. In the month of May, 1832, he 
was requested to go to Stow's Square, Lewis County, 
The church in that place had no minister. The Sunday- 
school was languishing; the Superintendent, discouraged, 
said " it was no use to try to keep it up on the Sabbath, 
as they had no preaching ; the parents would not come 
out to reading meetings and bring their children." Some 
members had gone to other societies, numbers had moved 
away, and some esteemed " pillars " had died. Truly, 
prospects looked dark and forbidding. On his 
and labors arrival, a notice was given out in the week-day 
m Stow's school that a youn? licentiate would preach at the 

Square. . 

meeting-house on the Sabbath, and also meet with 
the Sabbath-school after service; and though a stranger 
in the place, it may well be imagined a good congregation 
assembled, and their anticipations were more than realized 
or gratified, and the Sabbath-school greatly encouraged. 
" The Lord was there," aiding in the dispensation of truth, 
and stimulated Christians to pray. Meetings were 
appointed for prayer and conference, and soon a cloud of 
mercy betokened a refreshing from the presence of the 
Lord. The young preacher visited and prayed, expostu- 
lated with indifferent professors in his affectionate man- 
ner, and warned the impenitent by timely exposition of 



18 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Scripture, desiring them to listen to the providences of 
God, which were frequently occurring in the voice of mor- 
tality around them; the uncertainty of life; the certainty 
of death, the need of securing "the one thing needful," 
which NOW was freely offered them, which was the only 
accepted time. (His labors were arrested for a few days 
by his being taken down with the fever and ague. This 
increased the anxiety of the community, having become 
considerably enlisted in the all-important subject of 
religion ; but a kind Providence soon permitted him to ride, 
and carry the good news of peace on earth and good will 
to men.) A day of fasting and prayer and confession of 
sin was appointed; a protracted meeting was suggested; 
an invitation was sent to Rev. Mr. Burchard to come and 
lead the sacramental host of God. The people all united 
harmoniously in prayer and in increased effort, and in 
every way to be ready for the conflict at hand. The 
spirit of God pervaded the mass of mind. The house of 
worship was thoroughly cleansed. A room and seats for 
all inquirers were prepared, with provisions for light, etc. 
The day appointed to commence Mr. B. did not arrive, 
on account of sickness, but the meeting was opened with 
prayer, and the work of the Lord went on. It was evi- 
dently His own work; there was no halting. Ministers 
around came in. They were surprised and astonished. 
Some consecrated themselves, and entered the work. 
~ . There was no unusual noise. The enemy stood 

Extensive J 

work of aghast. " The slain of the Lord were many." 

grace. (i p Qr j^ name's sake, oh, Lord God of Israel !" 

went up from the sanctuary, from every altar of prayer in 

the social circle, and around the family altar. Truly, 

every room was a consecrated spot, from the cellar to the 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 19 

attic. In the barns, in the orchards, and in the woods, 
all were vocal with the voice of supplication, the very air 
echoing the sincerity of the petitions that were offered. 
During the entire convocation there was no unnecessary 
confusion apparent. It seemed like the glorious Advent, 
when the shepherds were watching their flocks by night. 
On the fourth day Mr. and Mrs. Burchard arrived, and 
entered immediately into the work. A room was appro- 
priated for her use, and the little children flocked around 
her for religious instruction. The Holy Spirit graciously 
blessed her endeavors to draw them to Jesus. How 
precious the promises appeared to the little ones, and 
their thirsty souls were ready to drink the truth; while 
at the same hour it came rolling down from the pulpit, 
just as the moral law came issuing from Mount Sinai to 
the wondering multitudes at the foot of the mountain. 
In the crowded anxious room Mr. Wickes and Mr. Mon- 
roe, with laboring Christian brethren, faithful to their 
trust, were with prayerful interest leading inquiring sin- 
ners to the foot of the blessed cross of their Divine Lord. 
There had been repeated revivals and protracted efforts, 
in which great good had been done in the cause 
of Christ, at Stow's Square. God had blessed and 
graciously given success to the honored instruments, 
whose memory is still " like as ointment poured forth ;" 
but such as was now in progress had never before been 
witnessed — so extensive, so harmonious. And when the 
multitude from abroad dispersed at the close of the meet- 
ings, Christians felt the importance of the Savior's com- 
mand to "watch and pray, lest ye enter into tempta- 
tion, and be not weary of well-doing." 



CHAPTEE III. 



PASTORAL LABORS. 




.. WICKES continued his incessant labors with 
this people, except at intervals, when called 
to attend other successful protracted efforts. 
Father Dutton of Champion exchanged pulpits with 
him, to receive a large accession of members into the 
church, who then saw the importance of having an 
ordained minister. 

They accordingly requested the Black River Associa- 
Ordina- tlon to or dain Mr. W., and with several other 
tion. candidates he was ordained Feb. 6th, 1833. 
The important and solemn vows then made had a great 
influence on his spiritual life in after years, as well as use- 
fulness in building up the cause of the- Redeemer's 
kingdom. Faithful labors were much needed. . 

The Lord Jesus taught his disciples to pray "the 
Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his har- 
vest, for the harvest was great but the laborers were 
few." The instruction of young converts, the Sabbath 
School, also the eradicating intemperance from the church 
as well as the community, and the intolerable crying sin 
of slavery demanded that ministers of the gospel "should 
lift up. their warning voices and cry aloud and spare not." 
The Sabbath preceding June 18th, 1833 Mr. Wickes 
Marriage, invited the entire congregation to be present on 

20 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 21 

Tuesday evening at the solemnization of the marriage 
ceremony which was to take place. 

Long before the appointed hour, every available spot 
was filled about the church with vehicles of every imagin- 
able description from all the surrounding country. The 
Rev. C. D. Pickens of Lowville took his place in front of 
the tall old fashioned pulpit, as Mr. Wickes and Miss 
Cynthia Wilcox, daughter of Capt. Jesse Wilcox, and 
preceded by Mr. Townsend and Miss Maria Brigham 
took their places facing the congregation, Mr. Pickens 
pronounced the words which made them husband and 
wife, when to the surprise of all but a few, Mr. Wickes 
and bride turned around and the second couple took their 
places and were by him united in marriage. The four 
then took their seats when Mr. Pickens ascended to the 
pulpit, and delivered a discourse* from the text Matt. 
XIX: 6. "What therefore God hath joined together let 
not man put asunder." With the following heads : 

I. God hath joined together church and ministry. 

II. God hath joined holiness and happiness, let no 
man separate them. 

III. God hath joined sin and misery, and no man can 
separate them. 

IV. God hath joined man and w r ife. Let none sever 
the holy wedlock that God sanctions. The happiness ot 
families, neighborhoods, communities and nations depends 
on the sacredness of this institution. 

They immediately made a short visit to his parents 

Visit to at Albany, N. Y. He remained in Stows Square 

Parents, over four years, the last of which he spent a 

portion of his time as secretary for the Sabbath School 

Pastorate. Union Society of Lewis Co., and when winding 

* This was culled from memory of the author. 



22 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

up his labors, the State Secretary of S. S., wrote him not 
to " leave at his peril;" the children throughout the 
county knew and were drawn to him by his friendly 
manner to them. 

Among other calls, was the earnest repeated solicita- 

tions of the church in Antwerp, to come back 

Ant- to that place. After much prayer and fasting, 

werp- he concluded it was the Lord's will that he should 
turn his steps that way. In Sept., 1836, he moved there 
with his family. This change was a new era in his life. 
When he went to Antwerp in 1 831, he was but a strip- 
ling, David like, with only his " sling and stone." Now 
he had become somewhat acquainted with the campaigns 
of war, and though he had a great desire for the good 
of the place, yet to lay a new siege when the enemy 
had barricaded it on every side, looked rather formid- 
able. The church still depended on the Home Mission- 
ary Society for aid. Through Mr. Wickes influ- 

friendly ence, being one of the trustees of the Black River 
aid - Religious Institute, Mr. Whitford had been 
appointed Professor of Mathemathics and was just 
moving his family to Watertown, whose counsels and 
sympathy had been like parents, and the loss of their 
important help he severely felt, still there were other 
dear friends and the Lord who had been his helper was 
the same, his cause was just as dear to him and where 
he looked for help in every approaching trial. 

The church and society soon began to gird themselves 

State of U P f° r the work, though iniquity had, and was, 

Society, rolling i n like a flood, it was evident " the Lord 
did lift up a standard against it," for soon they were 
enabled to support the gospel without the aid of foreign 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 23 

help. Immoralities and errors in practice and doctrine 
began to disappear before the light of truth. Christians 
of different names became more harmonious, ran together 
for prayer and conference. Four years and a half, not a 
month and but a few weeks passed it was thought but 
there were conversions to the Lord Jesus. 

Mr. W. gave frequent lectures on temperance and 
anti-slavery, in the neighborhoods around. Sometimes 
, ■ , r . in late hours become so weary he would fall asleep 

Indefatig- ' - 

able on his way home in his vehicle, while the sagacity 

Labors. Q f ^[ s faithful horse would take him through 

diverging cross roads, and snow banks in safety, or give 

some signal for direction. In those indefatigable labors 

there were good brethren in the church that often 

accompanied and strengthened him in the work of the 

Lord. 

Sabbath The Sabbath School numbered some over a 

Work, hundred and fifty while he was superintendent. 

Preaching on the seventh commandment to the annoy- 

_ e ance of some fastidious persons, one of the trus- 

Reforma- A 

tory tees told him he had preached the bread out of 
Labor, j^ mQ uth; his reply was, that he must preach 
the truth whether men would hear or forbear. A clerk 
in one of the stores said to one of the elders a day or 
two after, Mr. W. had preached most immodest language 
and to prove it took out of his pocket a slip of paper 
on which he had penciled several sentences, the elder 
showed him they were passages from the Bible, he was 
speechless. Mr. W. was threatened with being rode on 
a rail, etc. The ladies met and organized a Moral Reform 
society auxiliary to the parent society in New York. 
In a few months there were a hundred names enrolled, 



24 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

and twenty copies of the Moral Reform Advocate 
and Family Guardian subscribed for and distributed 
monthly, also a sufficient sum raised for a life member- 
ship for their pastor's wife. "The pure in heart shall 
see God " said our blessed Saviour. They did not cease 
their efforts, the ladies repeatedly sent delegates to the 
conventions at Utica also Mr. W. was sent as a dele- 
gate at the same time and place, to the anti-slavery con- 
vention. 



CHAPTER IV. 



CORRESPONDENCE, DURING HIS EARLY 
MINISTRY. 




HE following extracts from correspondence during 
the early ministry of Mr. Wickes are given as 
showing the blessed outpouring of the Holy 
Spirit while engaged in his arduous labors, and his entire 
dependence on God during the years of his pastoral work. 
Written to L. A. Wickes from Antwerp, May 
16th, 1831. 
Dear Sir. 

You will doubtless be willing and perhaps desirous to 
hear concerning the Sabbath here, I send a few 

Letter & ' 

from lines inclosed in your bundle. Elder Grey was 
Antwerp, j ier( ^ an( j ^ i ar g es t congregation was assembled 
that has met during this season, but from what I could 
gather from the conversation of many nearly all were 
disappointed. The day was fine, and the weather 
extremely warm, but the north wind which was blown 
upon the soul from the mouth of the Greenlander so 
chilled the hearts of the children of God that it caused 
many to shake. Our prayer meeting in the evening 
was conducted with the same spirit. The house was 
crowded with the vain and giddy youth, and many of 
the professors felt an anguish of soul for their lost con- 
dition when they entered the house. But Satan came 
2 25 



26 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

also. Our leader opened the meeting with . a lengthy 
prayer, and immediately commenced talking and con- 
tinued his cold heartless conversation for near an hour. 
The effect was visible upon every heart, upon the 
impenitent as well as upon the professor. Many of the 
impenitent left the house before he had done speaking. 
The prayers which were afterwards made seemed to par- 
take of the climate and air that surrounded them. Our 
meeting broke up and the congregation dispersed, but not 
with that satisfaction which was visible the Friday even- 
ing previous. We had a funeral discourse delivered last 
Thursday by Br. H., well calculated to keep up the 
courage of the'wicked to persevere in their wickedness. I 
think that S. himself could not have done better. He 
(H.) has left another appointment for the next Sabbath 
to preach all day. You will doubtless understand why 
he means to preach here on Sabbath ; we have gathered 
a little of the reasons from some of his society but I 
forbear to mention them, God can bring good out of evil. 
And now, dear sir, we wish you to consult the Lord, and 
see if it will not be for His glory and for the interest of 
the blessed Redeemer that you should be here next 
Sabbath at least. Much anxiety prevails among the pro- 
fessors and there is manifested a very great disappoint- 
ment among the impenitent. Oh that God would direct. 
I am sensible that some are willing to trust the Lord 
but how many put their whole trust in Him, He alone 
knows. If you should attend the meeting at Brownsville 
I beseech you to have us remembered in your prayers. 
We hope your return will not be long protracted. 

Yours in the Lord, 
L. A. W'ickes. Archd. Whitford. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 27 

Antwerp, May 23rd, 1831. 
Dear Brother. 

I this moment received your letter of the 1 8th, having 
received the one you wrote the 20th, on Saturday 

in last, first having been mislaid, I did not receive in 
Antwerp. seasoru T/he reason why I trouble you with a 
letter so soon, is because I find no mention made in 
either of your letters concerning your having received 
the clothing you sent for by R. Randall, but on the 
contrary it appears from the date of the 18th, that you 
had not received them. They were sent agreeable to 
your request by the stage on Monday the 16th, and 
until this morning I had supposed you to have received 
them. With regard to the contents of your letter as 
respects the coldness of our church you will know 
when you get here, and if you think it not best to 
stay with us may the Lord direct you, much anxiety 
prevails for your return nevertheless. If you do not stay 
and it is the Lord's will we must submit. 

Yours in haste, 

Archd. Whitford. 



Sackets Harbor, July 20th, 1831. 
Dear Brother Whitford. 

I take a moment's opportunity to inform you, that I am 
Answer to alive as yet although my health is very poor, 
above My l un gs are in a very precarious condition, I can 
not talk but a very few minutes without injuring them 
very much. I have taken a trip to Kingston, U. C. On 
my return I was so sea-sick that I stood over the side ot 
the steam boat about twenty miles, I think it will be for 
my good, but it was a hard medicine. But as is the old 



28 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

saying, " no smart no cure." I attended a prayer meeting 
in Kingston and you may judge whether I kept my tongue 
still or not. I received many pressing invitations to stay 
at Brockville, the minister of that place was at Kingston. 
He acted as tho' the thunderings of the Almighty were 
breaking over his head. He said he could "not get more 
than six or seven of his church together, for a prayer 
meeting." I told him he had not got the carcass there, 
for where the carcass was the eagles would be gathered 
together. I told them there was not smell enough, to 
draw them together, for probably one eagle might eat up 
all his meat. 

The church in Antwerp is not the worst yet. I am 
glad Mr. W. has accepted the invitation which was 
written to him in behalf of the church. I hope he will 
suit all, for if he does, you can have a meeting house. 
Although he may not be as powerful as some other men, 
yet he will be a leader for you, and is able to give 
you good doctrine, and you know if you only PRAY, his 
words will be blessed, and your church will be built up. 
And Dear Brother you MUST pray for there never was 
a time, when this county was in such commotion as at 
the present, for the devil is on his stilts, trying to 
raise the flag-staff of hell. If there ever was a time 
when Michael and his angels were contending with 
the devil, and his angels, it is now. And if ever the 
church was called upon to pray it is now. 

And to the church I would say, do not let a moment 

T the P ass unoccupied, for a moment gone is gone to all 

r.hurch in eternity. If, beloved friends, God has brought 

ntwerp * you from darkness to light, let that light shine and 

break forth into a great flame, for the children of God are 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 29 

the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill which can 
not be hid." If you have the Lord for your portion who 
can be against you. The enemy of souls would delight to 
have you sleep, but you are of the day, (if you are God's 
by regeneration,) and therefore must not sleep, but be up 
and doing, the more you devote yourself to God the 
greater will be your blessing, and as I have often told 
you (and yourself also know) that salvation must come 
out of Zion. Do not rest 'till she shall bring forth sons 
and daughters unto God. Take the same promise that 
God gives, and hand it back to him as an argument why 
he. should bless you. "When the enemy shall come in 
like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard 
against him." This promise you may plead in Antwerp. 
Do not be discouraged, if you do not SEE the rain 
descending, for Elijah prayed seven times and kept his 
servant running to the top of the mountain to see if the 
cloud arose. But do not pray onee, and then stop, but 
continue praying for one thing until you get it. And be 
careful that you do not limit God by asking him for little 
things, and thinking He will not give great things, for 
the greatest thing for which you can ask, is but a small 
thing for Him to give, and pray with all your soul. I 
do not always forget you when I go to God in prayer. 
Tho' my body may be absent from you, yet my spirit is 
often with you. Perseverance in prayer, will accomplish 
almost anything, that is if you pray in the Spirit. There- 
fore go forth breaking your pitchers, holding up the 
light, and sounding the trumpet, that is breaking the 
heart, the light of the gospel may be seen. I often feel 
as tho' I could not stay away from you. But beloved 
friends I do not know as God will ever let me speak to 



30 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

you again. But I shall visit you, how soon I can not 
tell, but I shall come as soon as God will. And now 
tho' I am far from you, yet feeling a great interest in the 
eternal welfare of .that people, I would make a request, 
that in every petition which you offer to God, to remem- 
ber the dear youth of Antwerp, and I do endeavor to do 
the same, probably when they are resting on their beds 
of ease at midnight. And always remember to pray for 
your most unworthy friend and unfaithful brother in the 
Lord. 

To Archd. Whitford. Lewis A.Wickes. 
About a month later he writes to his parents from 

Chamount. Aug. 1 2th, 1 83 1. 
Most Affectionate and Dear Parents: 

You undoubtedly feel anxious to hear from me by 

Aug, 12, this time, as the last letter which I wrote was 

J?? 1, on the steam boat on Lake Ontario. I visited 

Cha- 
mount. Kingston, and returned to Sacketts Harbor, and 

was as sea-sick as I want to be. Since that I have 

been traveling from place to place and my health has 

improved very much, especially since I came here. The 

bay separates the village, (if village it may be called.) It 

lays about half way between Brownville and Cape 

Vincent, on the stage road. It is called a sickly place, 

but thus far it has been a benefit to my health, whatever 

it may prove hereafter. There has been a seven days 

meeting here, and the number attending was very small. 

I presume there were not over one hundred impenitent 

souls who attended the meeting. Out of that number 

about thirty were hopefully converted, which we think 

was encouraging, taking all things into consideration. 

The preaching was in a small barn half filled with hay 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 31 

and some of the people had not a Bible in their houses, 
and some hardly knew enough to read one if they had it. 
Some houses where I visited, the pigs, geese and children 
were all in the straw together. But this is not a fair 
specimen of all the inhabitants, for there are some quite 
intelligent and very nice people, and fine stone buildings. 
There are Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Close Com- 
munion, Open Communion, Free Will and Seven Day 
Baptists, Methodists, Christians, Universalists, Deists, 
Atheists, Nothingarians and Everythingarians, in this 
town ( Lyme). I have rowed from place to place, so much 
from one side of the bay to the other I have made several 
blisters on my hands. Yet it is pleasant to work where* 
the harvest is already ripe and the Lord is going before 
us. I often feel that the task, or rather the work, is too 
great for me to touch. Yet God uses the feeble means 
which men would despise, to build up his own cause and 
in so doing may be seen more visibly the power and glory 
of God. It may be said that the harvest truly is great 
and the laborers are few, pray YE therefore the Lord of 
the harvest to send forth laborers into the vineyard. I 
have had so many invitations from one place and another 
that my greatest trial is to find out what duty is. I 
expect to go to Cape Vincent Tuesday next to attend 
a four days meeting and as requests are quite urgent, may 
continue the meeting some days longer, if the providence 
of God seem to favor it. The Lord is at work through 
this whole region, and the devil rages with all his might. 
He is walking on his stilts, and swinging his hat, and the 
dialect of hell rolling from his lips. I would write much 
more but time will not permit. As soon as I can get 
time I have a sheet fnll for sister A. M. Give my love 



32 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

to all and tell them to pray for your most unworthy son. 

LEWIS A. WICKES. 

P. S. We have been here about three weeks and 

formed a Presbyterian church of about thirty members, 

besides what go to the Baptist and Methodist, and I 

formed a Sabbath school of forty children. 

L. A: W. 

The promised letter to his sister seeems so full of 

Letter to Christian experience and so well adapted to in- 

sister, struct the young it will be its own apology for 
Oct. 11, . 

1831. lts appearance in lull. 

Antwerp, Oct. it, 1831. 
My Very Dear Sister : 

I thought that this evening should be devoted to writ- 
ing a short letter to you, but my room has been filled 
with company till this very moment (now about half-past 
eleven o'clock). But if I do not avail myself of this 
opportunity I know not when I shall find time to write, 
for I am busy from morning to morning generally. God, I 
believe, grants me his helping hand. *•*.*•* And 
I will keep my promise to write to you. I am told, Dear 
Sister, "you have found an interest in the Blessed 
Redeemer since 1 left Troy." This is the greatest blessing 
which the Lord could have given you, if it is founded 
upon the Rock. 

I find the best thing I can do is to often commune 
with my own heart and converse with God. You are 
not altogether unacquainted with your heart, if you are 
a Christian, yet you cannot know too much about it and 
a little advice I here would give you, if you will accept of 
it from so unworthy a brother as I am. 

And in doing this, I would recommend that you 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 33 

become acquainted with a few things which I will men- 
tion, and the reasons why : 

And, First, you should become ACQUAINTED with the 
character of God. You will find, the more you see of 
the beauties and holiness of God, the more lovely it will 
appear and the more you will desire to see of His excel- 
lencies, and therefore you will see more of your own vile- 
ness and sin, which will cause you to be oftener at the 
throne of grace, till you may feel, when comparing with 
God's purity, to say with Job, " I abhor myself and 
repent in dust and ashes." And the more of your sins 
you see, the nearer you • will approach to God, till life 
shall end. You will feel more of the obligations you are 
under to God and the easier you will discover the hidings 
of God's face. For when a Christian lives in the dark, 
he is entirely insensible of his real condition. 

And in the second place, I would advise you to 
become well acquainted with your own heart. The heart 
is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. 
One great reason why so many persons imbibe error is 
because they have no real knowledge of their own hearts. 
They do not love the idea of looking into their hearts. 
But the Christian may live so as to have the Grace of 
God so apparent that it may be his spiritual barometer 
to guide his spiritual life. 

Some people wonder why it is that the nearer the 
Christian comes to the Spirit of the Savior the more 
wickedness there is in his heart. But their wonder is 
not in the right channel. There is no more wickedness, 
but more light coming in shows what is contained in the 
heart. To illustrate my meaning, take a simple compar- 
ison. For instance, you sweep a dusty room which is 



34 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

perfectly dark and you discover no dust at all. You 
open a shutter and let in a little light you will discover 
some dust, you open another shutter and let in a little 
more light and you see more, you open a third and still 
more, and so on, till so much light comes into the room 
that the dust appears so dense that it seems almost 
impossible for you to breathe. Now there is no more dust 
in the last case than in the first, when the room was 
perfectly dark, but the light has shown what was in the 
room. Just so with the Christian's heart. The more 
Gospel Light there is shining into it the more the pollu- 
tion of his heart it presents to him, yet it creates none, 
but is the instrument of driving sin from its throne. 
And in becoming more acquainted with your heart it will 
cause you to be more devoted and, my Dear Sister, a 
praying Christian is worth all other kinds of Christians. 
But this subject comes in more fully bye and bye. I 
shall therefore close for this time, as it is now about half- 
past one. Should this be my last hour to-night, how 
should I appear before God's awful bar? A glorious 
thought that enters the whole soul and runs through 
the mind. God is just and all will be well and my trust 
is all stayed on His Almighty Arm, who says : " Fear 
not, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward." 

Wednesday morning, Oct. 12th. Another and Third 
subject you should acquaint yourself with is the Devil. 
If an enemy is about to break into a house and you wish 
to guard against the attack you will want to understand 
the manner he is expected to attack or break in,. for then 
you will be prepared to meet him. If you are not 
acquainted with the devices of the Devil, he may enter 
into the heart and damage the furniture there before you 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 35 

are aware. And here I would say, if I may be allowed 
to express my mind; A cold, stupid professors head 
is the best workshop the Devil ever had, and you will 
find, the more you acquaint yourself with the character 
of the Devil, the better prepared you will be to guard 
against his wiles. And he is a subtile fellow and } tries 
every way possible to enter into the heart of the Chris- 
tian. But if you will only watch and pray you will be 
able* to discern his character. But without prayer you 
will be so completely under the direction of his diabolical 
influence that you will oppose much of the real piety 
with which every Christian should be endowed. This 
is the reason why so many professors are found quarrel- 
ing with the dealings of the Almighty. They have not 
grace enough to take as low a station as God delights to 
bless. And because God delights to bless those who. 
appear and really are humble, they will Often raise their 
reproachful hand against the child of God. And now, 
sister, let these few suggestions not be wholly lost. 
They are the commencement of a few hints that may run 
off the point of my pen. 

I might have been more lengthy on each topic, but 
time will not permit. I have been appointed agent of 
the building committee for building a meeting-house in 
this place and it occupies considerable of my time. And 
it now is time for me to subscribe myself Your most 
unworthy and sinful but sincere and affectionate brother, 

Lewis. 

Give my love to parents, brother and sisters, grand- 
parents, uncle, aunts, cousins and in short to all inquiring 
friends. Tell Mrs. B. a young man, one of her young 
friends, while I was at Chamount, indulged a hope. Write 
soon. L. A. W. 



36 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Antwerp, Dec. 9, 1831. 
My Dear Parents; 

Birthday It was my intention to have written yesterday. 

Parents° * ^ a( ^ so mucn to do ^ was impossible, it being 
1831. Thanksgiving day (so called by way of dis- 
tinction), and the religious exercises of the day were 
laid upon me. Besides, I had an appointment about 
three miles from the village, so that I did not return till 
quite late and my room was too cold to write. Th'ese 
are my reasons why I did not write on my birthday. 
Yesterday brought me to my twenty-second year. . Time, 
how fast it flies ! Since my letter of Dec. 8, 1830, 1 have 
passed through various scenes, both temporal and spirit- 
ual, as my letters have already shown. I scarcely know 
how to express my feelings in reviewing the past year. 
Oh, the ingratitude there is in my heart ! It seems at 
times that there is not so unworthy a creature on the 
footstool of God as I am. But these feelings are transi- 
tory, for soon my proud heart will rise up to such a 
height in wickedness that I almost forget where, or what 
I am. I try to learn the devices of the Devil that I may 
be able to meet him in his attacks and it seems the more 
I see of my heart the less I know about it. It is a won- 
der to me how people can be Armenians when they look 
into their hearts. I once thought that the work of being 
prepared for eternity was all done at the time they 
thought they gave their affections to Christ. But I am 
convinced of the truth of Whitfield's remark " that the 
tearing down of the old man and the building up of the 
new is a work till death!' The Enemy of souls does not 
care what degree of feeling a person arrives at if they will 
only be satisfied, for he knows that they will soon come 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 37 

down if they will only make a stop, for there is no neu- 
trality in the cause of Christ. I often begin to reason 
with myself about being a Christian and I think, what 
good can I do ? I am sure that I do but little, if any- 
thing for him, and how can he use me in his immense 
building? But my prayer is to the Lord: " Make me 
anything for thine own glory and do with me what seem- 
eth to thee good," and it is my only desire, if I know my 
own heart, to live to his honor and glory, and when this 
is not my object may the Lord give me grace to see my 
crime and enable me to live to him. Since I have been 
in Antwerp I have had various things to encounter. 
The prejudices of the people have been very great against 
the Presbyterians, from the fact that there have been so 
many ministers in this place who have acted so much 
like the ungodly that it was almost impossible for me to 
get near them when I first came here, but now quite a 
different aspect may be seen, and my leaving causes no 
small talk among them. Since I returned from the short 
tour I took for my health in August, it has been 
improved considerably and my labors have been very 
numerous. I have raised about $800 here towards a meet- 
ing house, got the timber for the frame on the ground 
and framed, purchased io,ODO feet of lumber, helped 
measure it out myself and got it partly drawn, and dug 
the greatest part of ten cords of stone and attended 
three meetings on each Sabbath, three or more during the 
week and visited a little from house to house ; formed a 
temperance society of seventy members, etc. For which I 
would give all the glory to the Lord of Hosts. I have 
often reflected on my leaving Troy. The feeling that I 
could not stay there, in consequence of which I started, 



38 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

not knowing where I went, and to see where the Lord 
has led me has been a source of wonder and joy mingled 
together with me. For me to say that God has not 
blessed my efforts would be saying that which I do not 
believe and which would not perhaps be acknowledging 
the mercies of God, yet I know, yea, I feel that I am un- 
worthy. Since I have been here there have been be- 
tween fifteen and twenty hopeful conversions. I will 
notice one fact. All seemed to think and did talk as 
though nothing could be done and ministers had given it 
up for lost, before I ventured here, and in four or five 
months the moral aspect had changed so much there 
were three different ministers that wanted to get in here. 
The people said : " We have got one kind minister and 
we had rather keep him than run the risk of getting an- 
other which perhaps will not suit, etc., etc." I hope my 
dear parents will not censure me for boasting. Forbear 
with me a little in my folly, for if I glory it is in the 
Lord. Yet my glorying will be entirely in vain except 
it be blessed by the eternal God. As to temporals I 
have nothing particular to say. I have enough to eat 
and to drink and am comfortably clothed. They will 
raise sixty or seventy dollars for me in this place. It is 
more than I expected, for their situation is rather pecu- 
liar and I felt it would help the cause of Christ and 
therefore I was willing to do all that I could that it 
might be built up. They seem to be determined that if I 
go away I shall come back again, which I am willing to 
do, if it is God's will, but if it is not his will I shall not 
come. I saw a notice of a protracted meeting at Mr. 
Beman's church ; please write the particulars. 

I have long felt an inclination and a determination to 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 39 

write to Grandfather B., but I did not know where he 
was. Oh, that he might be brought from darkness to 
light, and have a " new song put in his mouth even 
praise to God." I feel as though I must see my relatives 
in Troy, but I must leave it for God to decide. It 
rejoices me to hear of the conversion of our cousins. I 
should be pleased to receive a letter from them. I have 
just had my hair cut, and I will send you a lock of it 
that you may see that I am not gray headed yet. Give 
my respects to all inquiring friends. Tell all to pray for 
rne. And remember your most unworthy son, 

Lewis A. Wickes. 



Antwerp, March 8, 1832. 
Dear Parents: 

The return of this day brings to me the expectation of 
Letter to m y parents in receiving a letter. My time is 
Parents. f u lly occupied, or ought to be. I find it very 
important to attend to every duty in its appropriate 
time, and if it is not attended to then, it will be put off 
too long, both in temporal and spiritual concerns. You 
know much depends on my motto, " Onward," and the 
thing will be accomplished. So in the cause of Christ 
what ought to be done, can, SHOULD be done. There is 
much precious time lost among Christians in standing 
and looking at the work so long, before they take hold 
of the cause, and then they handle it as careful as they 
would eggs. But yet how foolish and inconsistent to 
see Christians so afraid of doing too much for the Lord 
of Glory. Why is it that the church of God are so 
dormant. They are truly unfaithful servants. There 



40 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

have been some hopeful conversions since I wrote, no 
very uncommon cases, however, although they are inter- 
esting because they excite interest in Heaven among 
the angels of God, for there is more joy over one sinner 
that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons 
that need no repentance; and it should cause joy among 
the children of God on earth. When the cause of 
Christ lays near the heart, it will cause the soul to bless 
the Lord for his wonderful works to the children of men. 
But when the heart is cold, to hear of the conversion of 
sinners, has no great effect at all, only to say, " Well ! " 
The Devil is trying his uttermost to conquer the children 
of God. My heart aches within me, when I think how 
little the cause of Christ is loved by many of the friends, 
or rather the professed friends of Christ, and — Oh, how 
little it is loved by them ! Yes, how little it is loved by 
me to what it should be. 

But yet I think it does look too dear to be trampled 
A request for a un der foot. And if there is any cause that 

letter from Dr. . . . 

Beman's Church should be lifted high it is surely the cause 
mTroy. f j esus Christ. You will please to answer 
this soon, and especially the letter referred to before. 
Give my love to all inquiring friends, especially brothers 
and sisters. Remember your son around the domestic 
altar. I do not forget you about 7 o'clock in the morn- 
ing. Mrs. Wliitford, with whom I board, sends love. 

I am your affectionate son, 

L. A. WICKES 

After leaving Antwerp he stopped in Stow's Square, 
where was a church surrounded by a farming community, 
and from which he writes as follows : 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 41 

Stow's Square, July 13, 1832. 



Dear Parents 



I expect you are anxious to hear from me, as I have 
Labors Com- told you a little about my sickness. My 
Stowe's Square, health is improving very fast, far beyond the 
July 13, 1832, expectation of every one, although I can feel 
To Albany, the effects of it when I exert myself consid- 
erable either in mind or body. O, my dear parents, it 
would be the delight of my heart to visit you, and have 
a delightful visit with you. But stop ! shall I leave dying 
sinners to grieve away the Spirit of God, and go down to 
hell for the sake of gratifying one's self? Blessed be God 
that he has made these lungs strong enough to heave his 
praises once more and beg for dying sinners' salvation. It 
is better to wear out in the service of God than to rust 
out. O, may God keep me from ever laying down its cares 
till I am laid in the grave ! which I often feel will be soon. 
But blessed be the name of the Lord, he will take his 
own time. There is some feeling here, but not as much 
as there should be; sinners are enquiring, and some 
Christians do feel a little. But some of the old mem- 
bers do try my patience, and one old Deacon has a 
daughter who was as hard as a rock. I talked and 
prayed with her 'till it seemed as though the father 
would have me not say another word. But I was deter- 
mined to obey God rather than man. And God heard 
and answered prayer, and when she felt so much as to go 
and ask her father to pray for her, he thought it was only 
animal feeling, and would follow her father in prayer, and 
yet he would not believe that the Spirit of God was 
striving with her. She now comes out and takes up her 



42 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

cross in social meetings,. and visits her young friends and 
talks and prays with them, and he begins now to think 
he does not know, but she may be under Conviction. O, 
that God would convert such a Deacon. The young 
people are beginning to tremble; yesterday God was in- 
deed in our midst at a prayer meeting. We do not have 
many meetings but what more or less desire the 
prayers of Christians. They come to the birth, but 
not enough strength in Zion to bring forth. Do pray 
that Zion may be strengthened in this place ; that sons 
and daughters may be born unto God. But I must stop 
writing, for it is most time to commence Bible Class, and 
as soon as that closes prayer meeting convenes, and I ex- 
pect God will be in the midst of us, and may the wind of 
the Holy Ghost blow upon all of us and fill us with faith. 
Remember and pray for your unworthy son, 

L. A. WICKES. 

The following letter from his father shows his wish 
for the council of his parents on the important step he 
was meditating of taking. 

Troy, Dec. 4, 1832. 

Dear Son : 

Your last, and undoubtedly the most important let- 
From ter you ever addressed to your parents, has been 
Father received, and when we attempt to answer it we 
are sensible that it will be only in part. 1 have 
Matrimo- not y our letter before me, and shall not reply 
ny. systematically. You inform us that you con- 
template marrying, and having mentioned your situation 
and the character of the person, you ask counsel. What 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 43 

may be written on the subject will not change your pur- 
pose or confirm you in the enterprise, perhaps. Minis- 
ters have in common with other men, the privilege of 
marrying, but in all cases the welfare of Christ's kingdom 
should be the object and end, but very probably while 
the minister has been engaged in maturing and arrang- 
ing the connection, souls have been neglected, and finally 
lost. You say that you have prayed over the subject. 
Remember my son, that there is no situation in which 
persons generally are more deceived, than in relation to 
some desirable and pleasant object they may have in 
view ; their feelings are excited ; the whole current of 
their wishes accompany their petitions, and from the 
fervor and earnestness exhibited, they are ready without 
making any allowances for circumstances, to say, I have 
indications that my contemplated project is favored by 
Heaven. I say to you, that it will be advisable, and be 
your bounden duty to marry, provided it will enable, and 
actually cause you to be a more devoted and an entirely 
devoted minister of the Gospel ; if it will increase in 
your own soul devotion and active piety; if it will make 
you more studious in gaining knowledge of God's word, 
and will make you more indefatigable and laborious in 
the service of God and the church ; more anxious and 
earnest to be the agent of Christ in pulling sinners out 
of the fire; if it shall have a tendency to elevate you in 
every christian and ministerial duty and employment, I 
say, marry. But if there is the least evidence to be 
gathered, that it will subtract from your devotedness, as 
a minister; if it shall lessen active piety in your own 
soul or life; if it shall divide your affections, and turn 
them off in any degree from the church, or cause the 



44 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

wretched condition of sinners to be less felt and realized, 
an exertion in any degree relaxed for their salvation,. I 
say, do not marry. Remember among the excuses made 
by those who were bidden and invited to come and eat 
of the supper or feast, one is represented as saying, " I 
have married a wife," etc. If the tendency should be 
(which is hardly possible), not to affect in any of these, 
and other particulars that might be mentioned, your 
usefulness, neither to add nor diminish, it is then very 
questionable whether it would be proper. If I could see 
the person you name, I should say to her, that if she did 
not intend to excite you to faithfulness, diligence, con- 
secratedness, heavenly mindedness, engagedness and 
consistency of ministerial character, etc.; if, in fine, she 
did not intend, by her influence and example, to make 
you a better man, a better minister, I would enter a sol- 
emn protest, and lodge it with the Master of the 
Assembly of the church in Heaven. 

* * * * Jonas Wickes. 



My Son : 

You no doubt are waiting anxiously for an answer to 
your letter, and your father has at last wrote a few lines, 
but you know r he says he had rather write six deeds, 
than one letter, therefore it always devolves on me; but 
in relation to your letter, he has said all that is necessary, 
and has left room for me to tell the family news, which is 
that all enjoy good health, except myself, and I am 
much better. I have reason to bless the Lord for his 
mercy towards me in raising me twice from sickness, 
within four months. It is very healthy in the city at 
present. * * * 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 45 

Rev. Mr. Finney is in the city. He preached on 
Sabbath. Mr. Beman is in New York. I cannot write 
more now, my hand trembles so it is difficult for me to 
hold my pen. Will write again soon, if I get strength. 

I want you to write. Tell us whether you will visit 
us this winter. 

Your Affectionate Mother, 

S. B. WlCKES, 



Stows Square. Dec. io. 1832. 

My Dear Parents : 

Time has rolled another year around, and my busi- 
Birthdav ness was so pressing on the 8th that I could not 
Letter attend to writing, therefore I take the earliest 
of 1832 opportunity to do it. In looking over the back 
year, and viewing my life, it looks dark, and every 
moment of time tilled up with sin. Oh. how shameful 
for a follower of Christ ! But the dealings of God 
towards me have been very kind, and his forbearance — 
Oh. how great ! But my ingratitude to God, how sur- 
prising ! Two years and a half have relied away since I 
left your kind, affectionate, and paternal roof, with the 
expectation of probably going into some secular employ- 
ment. And, (though not worthy of having such a com- 
parison') like Jacob, went out not knowing whither I 
went. The money I had with me at that time was 
87.00. On that I started my pilgrimage with a heavy 
heart, and so downcast a look that the stage passen- 
gers marked it. and asked the occasion of it. I then had 
my eve on the western region, though only known to 



46 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

myself, with the intention of never again visiting the city 
of Troy. Not that I any less esteemed my parents' 
roof. No, never! never! My heart has always felt for 
you, my dear parents, above every object, and shall ever 
continue till life shall end. Although I have for a 
moment thought that Pa by his never writing, said, 
" You may be your own counselor." But soon hushed 
to silence those wicked thoughts, with the most minute 
reflections; his family is large, his riches are none, and 
his fingers support them. But I did feel, and do still 
feel, that my sphere of usefulness in Troy would be 
nothing, and perhaps it is altogether best that it should 
be so, and I think I can say I bless God it has been so. 
Whatever my former intentions were, God has brought 
me where I very little, nay, never thought of being. 
" How wonderful are His counsels, and His ways past 
finding out ! " He has never left me without friends, at 
least professedly so. I have never been naked, and he 
has always stood by me in trouble, and so far helped me 
through, and it is my determination to obey his com- 
mands as far as I know them, and when I have done all, 
I shall only be an unprofitable servant. To enter into a 
minute detail of the past year, I cannot at this time, 
neither would it be advisable. But I find in looking 
back a year, I find much to be lamented over, though I 
have not been left to commit any outbreaking sins. Yet 
I find it is the feelings of the heart God looks at, and 
therefore it is to have the whole life before God, such as 
would be pleasing to Him. I am well aware that there 
are many things in my life which can, and under God, 
shall be loped off. For I find it is utterly impossible for 
me to have access to God, without living in some faint 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 47 

degree up to his requirements. I believe one great rea- 
son why Christians do not enjoy higher attainments, is 
they do not aim at high and holy attainments. They 
take the character of Christians that have gone before 
them, whereas they should take the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and I know of no other way by which they can possibly 
attain to that qualification which is required, (perfection). 
I know for me to live near to God, I shall have to make 
a great effort, and that too, against a very light and 
trifling nature, that takes delight in sin. And I say 
to myself sometimes, when shall I be delivered from this 
body of death. If to be a good man, it was necessary 
to be a great man, I should ever faint of ever, yea, 
despair of ever gaining the point. But as goodness has 
nothing to do with greatness, I set my face towards the 
former, praying God to assist me for His great name's 
sake. If the Lord will use me to tear down the devil's 
kingdom, I am willing he should do it, and bless his 
name for it. If the Lord holds me up, I shall not fall, 
yet I often think that it is actually requisite for me to be 
knocked down to humble the pride of my heart. For 
God sets people low, that He may lift them up, but the 
devil lifts people up, that He may throw them down, 
(Matt. 4). And I know if I will only abase myself, God 
will exalt me, and I find no better place than at 
the foot of the cross, yea, infinitely beneath the dust 
that the cro^s rests upon. Oh, it is sweet communing 
with God, when I can lose myself in the glorious will 
of Heaven. My heart often makes me think of the 
bottomless pit ; open the doors, and it is a black looking 
place, and the smoke of sin ascends from it, into all parts 
of the system, and spreads a stench all around, yet the 



48 LIFE AXD LETTERS OF 

fire of the Holy Ghost can purify and make it clean. It 
is true " the heart is deceitful, and above all things des- 
perately wicked," and mine is "like a cage of unclean 
birds, or like the inside of one of the ancient sepulchers." 
My health is good as can be expected, for one that is all 
the time on the go. I have thought sometimes that if 
I was engaged in any other employment, I could not 
endure it. To let you see how much God enables me to 
do, (and I hope for His glory), I will give you the 
appointments of this week: 9th, Conference, 6 o'clock, 
meeting house; Monday, meeting three miles off, in the 
evening; Tuesday, Tracts Distributers meeting; Wednes- 
day, Bible Class; Thursday, Thanksgiving, 10 o'clock 
preaching — evening, Union Meeting; Friday, Conference, 
mile off; Saturday evening, meet the young people 
three miles off northwest, to form another Bible Class, 
besides some small appointments, and visiting more or 
less every week, besides the duties of the Sabbath, and 
preparations for it. So the Lord enables me to go from 
one week to another. I have a severe cold, which seems 
to be inclined to settle on my lungs, and makes me very 
hoarse. I have yet to ride three miles, and attend a 
meeting in a very wicked neighborhood. The Lord can 
work even there, for since I commenced having meetings 
there, there have been six family altars erected, for which 
I would bless the Lord. The Universalists and Chris- 
tians fornv one broad phalanx against us. But the 
devil is a conquered devil. Christ bruised his head. 
If I can only have my Saviour with me, I fear not what 
wicked men shall do to me. " Trust in the Lord and do 
good," and God's promises are sure, they are, yea, and 
amen in Christ Jesus. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 49 

Please write soon , and give my love to all friends, 
and pray for your affectionate, though unworthy son. 

L. A. WlCKES. 



msd£?>> 



CHAPTER V. 



CORRESPONDENCE DURING PASTORAL 
WORK FROM 1833 TO 1841. 




HE following very interesting letter to his par- 
ents shows his natural affectionate cheerful- 
ness, consecration to his work and solicitude 
for his friends. 

Stows Square, Feb. 13th, 1833. 

My Dear Parents. 

I have but a short time to write but I will improve 
that. I have been very busy ever since I wrote you in 
preparing for Ordination which took place on the 6th of 
February. I had often thought of the solemnities of 
such a time, but never did in any measure realize the 
intense interest of such a time. Oh! my parents you 
can know nothing of the peculiar feelings of one kneel- 
ing down, and hands of the Ambassadors of Christ 
placed on the heads, and lifting up their prayers to 
Almighty God for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon 
him. Jehovah looking down, angels witnessing the 
scene, and devils waiting the results. If ever I needed 
the agency of God's spirit it is now, and if ever your 
prayers were asked for it is now. Oh ! withhold them 

50 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 51 

not. The world is looking upon me, and expecting 
more from me now than they ever did before. Without 
the spirit of Christ I shall utterly fail of accomplishing 
my duty. Last night I stood in a different place than 
I ever did before. I was as people say " tying the knot." 
It was a large circle of friends and connections. I 
thought I should be very much " dashed " but I spent a 
season in prayer for help, and God heard and answered 
so that one old Dutchman present said to use his own 
language, " It vas done so schlick as von goos tgg.^ 
Wine was not brought near the banquet but in lieu pure 
cold water had the place. Perhaps you may be surprised 
when I tell you it is the third wedding I was ever at. I 
am not fully prepared to say what duty is in many 
cases of matrimony, but I suppose that now is the time 
for me to know if ever. It is, whether it is duty to 
solemnize a marriage where one is a Christian and the 
other is not. I have been in hopes to see it discussed by 
some able pen, but as yet I have looked in vain. I have 
been reading a piece in the Evangelist on " Unhallowed 
Marriages," but the writer in my estimation does not 
touch the point where the greatest objection lies. 

If it is wrong in every circumstance and condition for 
Christians and unbelievers to be connected then, surely, it 
is for a minister to connect them. Therefore the whole 
question comes to this, " Is there any case where it is law- 
ful for believers and unbelievers to be joined in matrimonial 
connection ?" 

I hope sister A. M. will not indulge the thought that 
she cannot write. Why she can do as well as I when 
first I wrote to H. It is practice that makes perfect, 
and perseverance accomplishes almost every thing. Am 



52 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

sorry C. has left the seminary; poor girl, tell her to apply 
her mind to something useful, and improve it for useful- 
ness. I must close at present and go off three miles 
through a tremendous snow storm to attend a Bible class, 
where I have over fifty to attend and it takes me about 
three hours to get through it. I feel that I need more 
of the help of God, for the more I am promoted the more 
pride I have to fight against. You know what a proud 
family we are, and how the Lord works to humble us, 
and if I can be humble it is a great blessing. The state 
of religion is low, we think, but strangers think there is 
a great feeling, and I suppose there is. compared with 
other places. I have .many calls to help in protracted 
meetings. If I was loose from this people I would spend 
much of my time in them. Just now I do not feel it 
would be my duty. I have attended only six this year 
of from six to fourteen days continuance. May the 
Lord give me health to labor much more. Love to all 
the family. Pray much for your son 

L. A. WlCKES. 



During his pastorate in Stows Square, Mr. Wickes 
was repeatedly called to assist in revival work in other 
neighborhoods, from one of which he writes to his home 
society as follows : 

Greig, Sept. 4, 1833. 
Dear Brethren,. 

I know it is your desire to build up the cause of the 

Early la- Redeemer, and to have the kingdom of the 

ors ' Saviour advanced in every place, and dutv seems 
Meeting . ,' • , r ^', . 

in Grekr P oin ted out very plain here tor me. there is 

Lewis but a very little help here (that is, human help), 

Co., N. Y. but God is present, and the work has commenced. 



LEWIS ALFRED WlCKES. 53 

The whole community seems to be on the move. Br. 
Crandal cannot be here but a little, and Sabbath is his 
\ssists in communion, and cannot leave. And the whole 
revival charge of the meeting is resting upon your 
work, unworthy minister. Br. Porter and Br. Stevens 
say it is plain that I should not leave here in such a time 
as this. Br. Bush will preach for you a part of the day. 
While I am writing Br. C. is preaching. Some Christians 
are in the room below praying and agonizing with groan- 
ings and tears that God would bless the truth. Brethren 
you are remembered in every season of prayer. And do 
now get hold of God's arm and Salvation will come, and 
that it may deluge this whole region is the earnest prayer 
of your unworthy Servant. Brethren come over and 
help us, pray for us. 

L. A. WlCKES. 

Saturday morning. The harvest is truly great but 

Continued ^ ie laborers are few. There are many sinners under 

Greig, great convictions. Several conversions and some 

Lewis Co. backsliders brought back to their Father in 

Heaven we trust, and there is a prospect of a 

great work. O pray for us, for this is a heathenish place. 

May God make this '' wilderness bud and blossom like 

the rose." Claim the promises of God and victory will 

turn on Zion's side. In haste, 

L. A. WlCKES. 

Greig, Sept. 7, 1833. 
Affectionate Dear Wife, 

I dropped you a line Saturday. I will give a 
little more encouragement. Yesterday we had all the 



54 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Early la- wickecl that the town contains. There were more 
bors as an Universalists together than I have seen together 
Evange- for years. I preached from the 23d verse of the 
llst 6th chapter of Romans. " Wages of sin is death," 
etc. I preached two hours. God helped me to present 
the truth more plainly from that text than I ever did 
before, (it suited my own mind better). And such a 
squirming I never saw before. It made me think of run- 
ning a pole in a hornet's nest. They fought and 
quarrelled all the intermission. Christians were praying. 
They saw for the first time the justice of God in the 
damnation of sinners. Arrows of conviction flew thick 
and fast. I could feel the prayers of Christians running 
through every nerve and muscle of the soul and body. 
God seemed to say to many " This is the way ; walk ye 
in it." In the afternoon I preached one hour and three 
quarters from Malachi 3d, 18. God was in the midst. 
And it was so late we did not have a meeting in the eve- 
ning but appointed meetings in all their houses. Broth- 
ers Porter, Dea. Abby and myself had a precious time at 
the house where we put up. There were four conversions 
one near 60 years old, God was here indeed. They were 
happy this morning (perhaps too much so.) They are 
singing the "Bower of Prayer" and "Old Ship Zion." 
God has strengthened me beyond my expectations, I can 
not tell how many have been converted and reclaimed. 
I know and can enumerate ten or twelve converted and 
fifteen or twenty reclaimed. The meeting will continue, 
how long I cannot say, several submitted right in preach- 
ing time yesterday. Error was dug up from the bottom. 
Pray for us, the immense field is ripe ready for the harvest 
and the laborers are few. I staid at Dea. Pinney's one 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 55 

night, preached in the evening, he got full to overflowing. I 
cannot tell when I shall be home. The Lord will bless 
you. I will write again if I stay long. Farewell. 

Your Husband, 

L. A. WiCKES 



West Leyden, Oct. 5, 1833. 

Dear Wife : I am in a strait between two and I 

hardly know what to do, but as things now are, 

. , ar the decision of the church and all the brethren is 

labors, 

West Ley- tnat I must stay here as there is no help except 
den, Oct. Father Kimble. Mr. Sawyer must leave. There 
5th, 1333. jg a prospect for good. One we hope has given 
' her heart to God. It was a very interesting case. 
I have not time to give the particulars. I expect 
Mr. Murdock will preach for you if he does not 
Anxiety let the brethren have their meeting. Tell Bros, 
for work Bates> l. Stevens and A. Stevens to put on their 
armour and come up here, for God demands it of 
them. Tell the church to pray for their unworthy minis- 
ter. Your Husband. 

L. A. WiCKES. 

P. S : — Dea. Dewey writes, Oct. 16, West Leyden, 
the work of the Lord still progressing. New and inter- 
esting cases occurring, says new voices heard in prayer he 
never heard before from some new converts and back- 
sliders. There seemed to be a desire that the work should 
not cease. All united in requesting prayer. 



56 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Stows Square, Dec. 8, 1834. 

Dear and Beloved Parents: This morning brings 

Birthday me to ^ dt P Gri °d when you expect "that I will 

letter, g* ve y ou something of a history of the last year 
reviewing of the life of your unworthy son. But to give 

.1834. y OU a m i nu te description of past events it will not 
be in my power, neither would I be doing you any kind- 
ness by giving so black a list. The two last years of my 
life are filled up with momentous responsibilities. When 
I reflect upon the voluntary obligations that I have taken 
upon myself I am almost ready to wish that I had never 
begun them. My ordination vows. The administering 
of the gospel ordinance, the responsibility of being " an 
example to the flock," the choice of a companion for life, 
with the duties that are connected, the solemnizing of 
marriage contracts, etc., are in my mind of no small 
moment. The past has now taken its flight into eternity, 
and with all the events of life are gone, and as to the 
effects the judgment must bring them to light. When 
I view them as a Holy God must look upon them they 
look like one, long, broad and deep catalogue that cannot 
be numbered. But yet blessed be God for his abounding 
grace that may have put now and then a very small 
white spot in the list. For it is only through the mercy 
of God, that I am permitted to do any good in this world. 
O, how humble I should be for the goodness that God 
has bestowed upon me. But alas, how hard and stubborn 
this heart is ! How unwilling to walk on the ground that 
Christ has laid down for a servant of God to walk on ! I 
have been led almost (like Jeremiah) to curse the day of 
my birth. How easy it is for me to point out how the 
Christian should live, what should be the manner of his 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 57 

conversation, the path of virtue and happiness. But, O, 
how hard to put them in practice, I have to take hold of 
my heart with a rope and drag it after the duties that I 
know that I should do, I am sensible that I have no other 
way to live but by crucifying the " old man with his 
deeds," and this in opposition to the natural propensities 
of the heart. Among other things of great moment, it 
has pleased the Lord to make me a parent. To describe 
the feeling I have often, is a thing I cannot do. It is 
sometimes the hardest thing to believe I am a parent. 
When I get the child in my arms I often think I have one 
of my parent's children in my hand, that it is a brother or 
a sister of mine, and at other times it appears like one 
that God has placed under my protection and parental 
care. Thus I find myself greatly tried, for the example 
that I must set before the child must be one that directs its 
mind towards heaven and which will gloriously prepare it 
for heaven. In order to do it I find I have much to do, 
and much that will make me solemn and circumspect; my 
natural lightness and habitual levity with which I am 
addicted cause me a great deal of trouble, and then to 
have them affect our little daughter, as they probably 
will, is a thought that I do not relish at all. She is a candi- 
date for another world, for heaven or for hell. Shall I be an 
instrument of adding to the number of damned souls or 
to the number of the rank of Satan ? May God forbid it ! 
I believe as God has placed this immortal under my care 
that its salvation or damnation in a greater or less degree 
is devolving on me. God is ready on his part to save it, 
and if we as the parents neglect our duty the child may 
be lost ! But I sometimes think I am over anxious as to 
its future prospects, ist, I cannot bear that she should 



5:8 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

be of no use in the world. To train up a cipher in the 
world I think God would not be honored. 2nd, If I 
train her up and she enters the list of the opposers to the 
work of God and whose influence will be on the side of 
the devil and whose efforts will be to destroy the works 
of holiness, and whose eternity will be spent cursing God 
and blaspheming her Maker, are thoughts that I cannot 
harbor with composure. For I hate the devil too much 
to build up his kingdom. I am by my own efforts trying 
to destroy the works of the devil and I cannot bear to do 
more by one act to build up the enemies' ranks than I 
have done in all my life to pull it down. And then again 
I look at the prevalence which popery may have over our 
land and see the consequences that may follow if she lives 
a devoted child of God, I feel that it is only the power of an 
holy God that can sustain in such an hour. And should 
she relinquish her faith in Christ how much the cause of 
Christ would suffer and be reproached. I have other 
feelings and reflections that the church will look to me 
for an example how to bring up their families, and here 
if I make a mistake or be careless it might be the means 
of many being destroyed. These are some of the respon- 
sibilities that this year have been thrown upon me. With 
these I often have some joy. The opening of the mind, 
the embracing of new ideas, the imitation of every exam- 
ple that is set before her, the eloquence there is expressed 
in the bright dark eye, and the activity of the limbs, with the 
parrot talk of" Pa," all create sensation peculiar to itself. 
And the hope of her being a useful one in society and a 
follower of the lamb, of bringing others to a knowledge of 
Jesus Christ, the eternal felicity of heaven, honoring God 
and praising the Lamb causes a little respite from the 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 59 

deep anxiety that I often as a parent feel. B-ut then faith 
in the promises of God surmounts the whole and is a 
lighthouse to all the trials arising from this source. O 
may I have more grace to accomplish the task that God 
has given. I want more knowledge, more faith and more 
of the spirit of God to guide me in all I attempt for the 
furtherance of the Redeemer's cause. If ever mortal had 
access to God I desire it. But I have another source of 
responsibility with which I sometimes am at a loss to 
know how and what to do. If it was in putting new 
only in the mind I should feel altogether different about 
it, but there is a work to do to eradicate the old princi- 
ples which he had formerly imbibed, I mean the guardian- 
ship of a young lad. The momentous responsibility 
that I took upon me when I took the guardianship of him 
was far greater than I anticipated. You know what a 
rogue I was, and " set a rogue to catch a rogue " is the 
old proverb. His habits drove me to God with all my 
soul to pour my heart out unto him for guidance and 
direction. I talked and entreated and it did not affect, it 
seemed necessary to use correction ; it pained my soul but 
it must be done; I prayed and God heard and blessed 
be his name the work was accomplished in part. To 
keep him too close may dispirit him, to let him run too 
much may be ruination of his usefulness. I often wish I 
had you here to ask your counsel and then perhaps you 
would not know what to do. You would be surprised 
to seethe change there is in him thus far. The thought 
that he will yet be a useful man in the world, causes me 
some consolation in the midst of anxiety. He is now 
turning his mind to his studies and he now prays with 
us every day and in prayer meetings takes an active part. 



60 LIFE AND LETTERS OP 

Yesterday I preached two Missionary sermons. This 
morning I heard him praying that God would open a way 
that he might be prepared to fill the place of a missionary. 
I feel thankful to God that he ever induced you to pray 
that he might be sent here. But I have not time to par- 
ticularize any further. With all that God has laid upon 
men, I have not sank under but have been permitted to 
rise above them all. I have not had to leave the pulpit 
yet from ill health, though sometimes my voice has been 
very weak and unpleasant to the ear. The number of 
meetings are as many as the days of the year into ten. 
God has thus far led me through ways almost unknown 
to any one but himself! Who thought five years ago I 
should have been preaching on my third year as pastor 
of one church. Truly " God's ways are not as our ways." 
The most laborious work that I ever did is to labor in 
protracted meetings. In them I have spent about two 
months or more this year. It is a continual stretch of 
the mind, the anxiety that is thrown upon the mind is 
great, the honor or dishonor of God in all, the salvation or 
damnation of immortal souls keep the feelings stretched 
like the cable of a ship anchored in a storm, and that 
is the reason why God blesses them so. I now commence 
a new year birthday of my life, it is known only to Him 
who holds me in existence whether I shall ever see the 
close of it, or how far I may advance in it. This may be 
the last commencing of a new birthday year I may ever 
see, if so, O, glorious news to my soul. But whether I 
live or die I wish to spend my life in the service of God. 
As it respects my eternal destiny, I am not disposed to 
query with my heavenly Father, for he will do all things 
as he pleases. I believe I can say with Peter " Lord thou 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 61 

knowest that I love thee." Why then should I be con- 
cerned about my state that I cannot effect only to serve 
him while on this earth. May God grant you my dear 
parents more faithful children to serve God, and may 
each of us be ornaments to your gray hairs in the hours 
of dissolution. I must close as I have to go ten miles to 
deliver a temperance address. That you may be sustained 
in all the vicissitudes of life, I subscribe myself, 

Your unworthy son 

L. A. WlCKES. 



Stows Square Dec. 8th, 1835. 

Being the 27th year of the earthly existence of Lewis 
Alfred, eldest son of Jonas and Sarah Wickes. 
My Dear and Most Affectionate Parents : 

It is with pleasure that I have the privilege of writing 
to you this day, not because of the worth of my 
Birthday inters, or the power of communicating anything 
183 _ instructive to you, but of showing my regard to 
those ever dear and honored parents, who were 
the instruments of my life, who watched over me when a 
helpless child, clothed and fed me when an ungrateful 
child, instructed and prayed for me when pushing through 
countless blessings down to eternal woe. It seems but 
a day in comparison since I wrote my first birthday let- 
ter, date 1 83 1. I know it should be my care to fill up 
every inch of time in such a way " that I may give some 
good account at last," O, that God's gracious influence 
may be ever exerted to bind my wandering heart to 



62 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Jesus and his cause. I must of necessity be brief. I 
have been blessed with a good degree of health, so that I 
have been able to fulfill my engagements and appoint- 
ments. I have conducted two protracted meetings out 
of this town. There were several conversions to God. 
To God be all the glory given. When I see how little 
good I do it weakens my faith, and then God, of course, 
cannot bless, " for according to your faith be it unto you." 
And when God does bless, I get so proud, that he has to 
abase me. O, for a great share of humility and faith in 
the promises of God. I preached the funeral sermons of 
four individuals, and they were all men, and older than 
myself. How soon God may call me I know not. I want 
to be prepared to live, and then I shall be ready to die. 
I am sensible that the life of a private Christian ought 
not to satisfy me. I know that it is my duty to live 
nearer to God, and set a more holy example, than a pri- 
vate member of the church. I have been set apart for the 
office of the sanctuary of God, and have 'sworn to be 
wholly consecrated to the work of the Lord, not serve 
tables. And besides ministers are to be an example for 
others to follow. And CJiristians are expecting to find 
in ministers an example of holy life (comparatively I mean), 
and the world to find ministers ever ready to warr^ 
admonish, and entreat for the cause of Christ. But oh how 
far short have I lived! and what an untoward example 
have I set ! Some of the wicked tried to injure me, but 
I can hardly say that it was for Christ's sake. But I 
have felt that 



; Mine enemy is oft my friend, though wrathful and severe. 
He helps to perfect that great end, for which I linger here." 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 63 

Labors of I have preached during the year one hundred 
the year. an( j thirty-six sermons, admininistered the Lord's 
Supper three times, attended about one hundred and 
thirty prayer and conference meetings, attended five meet- 
ings of ecclesiastical bodies, delivered three temperance 
addresses, attended two Sabbath school celebrations, sol- 
emnized four marriages, and written one hundred and 
twenty letters. Thus I have given you but a brief sketch 
of the last year of my life. It is gone, and gone to all 
eternity. It may be reviewed, but it can never be 
recalled. The only remedy is to live more to the glory of 
God, in whatever times I may have to live, in the coming 
year; I now have commenced. I may not close it in this 
world, or if I am permitted to live, I know not what is 
before me. Oh, for a heart to say as well as lips : " Let 
the morrow take care for the things of itself." Sufficient 
unto the day is the evil thereof. I know it is easy to 
plan out how to spend my time, but it is another thing 
to live out the plan. I think God wants us to work for 
the present advancement of his kingdom, and the present 
conversion of sinners. May the Lord give me that " wis- 
dom whicji is from above," that I may be enabled to 
promote the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

That your last days may be days of usefulness, of 
peace and joy, and that every child which you have 
brought up may be to you a crown of joy and blessed- 
ness, is the prayer of • Your Eldest Son, 

L. A. WlCKES. 

Written to his wife during her absence to her parents 
(where she met Mrs. Ermina N. Worcester, a missionary 
to the Indian tribes, and daughter of Father Nash, of 



64 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

saintly memory,) giving his thoughts on his pastoral life, 
fearing the results from his natural volatility and levity 
in conversation. Antwerp, Oct. 19, 1837. 

Dear Love.— It is near 12 o'clock at night, and I 
have but just got back from meeting, where we felt God 
was. There is indeed some little feeling, and yet how 
small. The cause is suffering for the want of helpers. 
But how scarce they are who really feel for the salvation 
of souls. I sometimes feel that I am more in the way 
than all the others. Oh, for a heart to be filled with the 
Holy Spirit, to have God direct me in the path in which 
I should walk. It is in vain for us to expect that we can 
do anything without the Spirit of God. And we may as 
well stay away from Antwerp as to live here, and not 
walk in Christ. How much there is contained in that 
expression of Paul: Gal. 5:7, "Stand fast in the liberty, 
wherewith Christ has made us free and not be again 
entangled in the yoke of bondage." The liberty which 
we enjoyed was that of the sons of God, and that which 
Christ maketh free, is free indeed. Free from every bond- 
age, and every corruption, and all unbelief. Truly, to be 
Jesus Christ's free man is a great blessing indeed, and O, 
how few of us do really enjoy it. The more I see of my 
heart, the more I feel that I mistook my calling in choos- 
ing the ministry of reconciliation. How little like Christ 
do I feel, and how much do I pattern after the image of 
hell. O, for a crucifixion to the cross of Christ, and to 
be crucified to the world. But may I be an example to 
others. Do pray for this place and get hold on the arm 
of God. Make an occasional call at your old closet and 
see what God would say there, compare your present 
faith with what you once had, and how you once claimed 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 65 

the promises of God. I am quite anxious to hear from 
you. I have just had a visit from Brother Lawrence, who 
has tarried all night with us, and has been up to meet- 
ing with me, he is a good brother. He preaches in L. 
next Sabbath. If there is no preaching on the S., you 
had best to go and hear him. Love to all. But I must 
close. Pray, pray. 

As ever yours, 

L. A. WICKES. 



There is an omission here of two years. The follow- 
ing letter from Rev. Isaac Clinton, regarding the early 
history of the church of Antwerp, attests Mr. Wickes' 
labors and interest in his work. 

LowviLLE, Dec. 26th, 1837. 
Rev. and Dear Sir : 

Your note of December 5th, was duly received, and 
the reason why it has not been answered sooner, has not 
been because of any neglect, but because of low and 
feeble health. I well recollect that I did organize the 
church at Antwerp, and to the best of my remembrance, 
one Elder and one Deacon were elected and ordained, 
and the Lord's Supper administered and some baptisms. 
A record of all the transactions was made on a loose 
sheet of paper and left with the officers of the church, 
who were directed to procure a blank book suitable to 
record the doings of the church sessions, and into which 
they were directed to transcribe the record which I left 
them — I believe it was about as long ago as you speak 
of, viz., eighteen or twenty years — and if the record 
which I left them has been lost, I do not see how that 



66 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

can in any way effect the existence of the church, as that 
has been recognized by the Presbytery, received under 
their care, and their records often examined and appro- 
bated. About the time of the organization of that 
church I was often there, and was well acquainted with 
most of the people, but for some twelve or fifteen years 
past I have been there but seldom. At the formation of 
the church the scene was solemn, and deeply impressive, 
and not easily to be effaced from my mind. And if, as 
you say, it was organized in a ball room and the ordinances 
of Christ administered, I do not know how that could 
any way affect the legality of those transactions. It 
was an upper chamber, and many associated many pleas- 
ing recollections and precious thoughts concerning the 
first administrations of the Sacred Supper by our Lord 
Himself. And as there was not at that time even a 
school house where religious meetings could be held, it 
was certainly very kind in Mr. Copeland to offer and open 
his chamber for such a meeting, and as often as preach- 
ing could be obtained. In reading the history of the 
Free churches in New York, I find that for a while one 
of them used the Masonic hall, another a theatre, and 
another a brewery, and I have never been disposed to 
censure them for that. If evil had ever been done in 
those places or in Mr. Copeland's chamber, I do not see 
in that circumstance any justifiable reason why good 
should not be done in the same places. As I said, the 
scene was solemn and deeply affecting. The church felt 
it and others appeared to feel it. I believe Christ was 
there. Since that time the church has had many trials 
many have died, many have moved away, and others, 
strangers to me, have been united to it. Changes have 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 67 

taken place, but the church lives. It is, I trust, a vine 
of the Lord's planting, and God has not forsaken it. 
Yes, that church as well as many others, which I have 
been the humble instrument of organizing, still lives and 
blessed be God, it lives in my heart and affections, and 
has a lively interest, and an affectionate remembrance in 
my prayers. Again, you say the church in Antwerp 
was organized in a ball room! Be it so, but did that 
circumstance vitiate, or in the least degree affect the 
legality or the sacredness of the transactions ? Nothing 
from without a man, defileth a man, but that which is 
from within, which proceedeth from the heart, being pure, 
is acceptable unto God, but being impure, that defileth a 
man. Present my best respects and regards to the 
church at Antwerp; tell them it is my devout and 
ardent prayer that they may be forgetting the things that 
are behind and pressing forward unto those things that 
are before, unto the mark of the prize of their high call- 
ing of God in Christ Jesus. And may God make all grace 
abound towards them. May they be abundantly blessed 
with copious showers of divine influence, be increased in 
numbers, and enriched with all spiritual gifts and graces. 
Yes, may grace, mercy and peace from God, the Father, 
and from the Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied unto them. 

N. B. — I wish, sir, that when you make your state- 
ment on the first Sabbath of the year, you have the good- 
ness to read this letter to the church and congregation. 

Yours, in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, 

ISAAC CLINTON. 



Being the twenty-eighth year of the life of L. A. 
Wickes, the oldest son of ten children of Jonas and 



68 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Sarah B. Wickes, the husband of Cynthia and father of 
Aurelia Elizabeth, and Emma Maria Wickes : 

Antwerp, Dec. 8th, 1836. 
Most Affectionate Parents: 

I suppose that by the twelfth of this month, you 
will be, according to custom, expecting what you call my 
"birthday letter." Well, were it not that I loved my 
parents, you would not see it. But having by experience, 
the feeling of a parent, I cannot refuse to do all in my 
power to make my dear father and mother happy. 
Though, perhaps, only to raise them to a higher summit, 
that if I should prove disgraceful to my parentage and 
the cause of Christ, to sink them deeper in sorrow and 
mourning, from which thing may heaven ever keep me. 

If I recollect right, my first " birthday letter " was 
written in this town, the day that I was twenty-one 
years of age. That is seven years ago, to-day, in the 
house of Deacon Lacy, at what is called the Oxbow, in 
this town. Little did I then think that I should be 
here at so late a period. I commenced my public talk- 
ing at the Oxbow, from which place I came here in March, 

1 83 1, when this place had been deserted by all ministers, 
and every thing bad was connected with the name of 
Antwerp. Here I stayed, conducted their public wor- 
ship for eighteen months, during which time I laid the 
foundation of a church edifice, raised a subscription to 
build the house, and got nearly all the materials on the 
ground to complete the house. And on the 8th of May ? 

1832, I was licensed to preach the unsearchable riches of 
Christ, and on the 18th of May, I commenced my labors 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 69 

with the church of Stow's Square, which continued for 
four years, during which time I married me a wife, visited 
my parents, had two children born. And on the 1st of 
July, 1836, I came, after repeated invitations, to this place 
and commenced my present campaign, having been 
ordained on the first Tuesday of Feb., 1833. Thus God 
showed me " my ways were not His ways, and my 
thoughts were not His thoughts." When in this town 
before, I verily thought I never should be able to stand 
professedly on the watch tower of Zion, and that in all 
probability, I should, in a year or two, go to eternity. 
But I sometimes felt I did not care how soon. Yet here 
I am as rugged as ever nearly, and able to preach from 
seven to fifteen times a week. Truly, what a great 
debtor I am, and shall be, owing God for strength thus 
to work and labor. I know I have nothing to cancel it 
with, and except I can show a pardon sealed by the 
Savior, I must ever be imprisoned lor debt, and that justly 
too. Oh, for an obedient heart. As to this year, I have 
nothing very special to write. As to the number of 
meetings that I have attended, the number of sermons, 
etc., I cannot tell, as I have kept no memoranda. I 
have held three neighborhood protracted meetings, and 
have witnessed the conversion of about fifty or sixty 
souls to God. Yet how small a number in comparison 
to what it should be. There is one neighborhood in this 
town that goes by the name of Arab settlement. This 
neighborhood, it has pleased God, to visit in mercy. We 
commenced a little meeting and continued for six or 
seven days, and I cannot tell how many have been con 
verted to God, some of the most profane men, and 
women too, have bowed at the feet of Christ, and give a 



70 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

pleasing evidence of a change of heart. But I think it 
probable, that you could not hardly swallow some, of 
what the wicked call noisy meetings, yet you might as 
well take fire into your bosom and not make a noise in 
groaning, etc., as to make Christians hold their peace 
when they felt for souls. We begin to feel a little here 
that we do not accomplish much in a meeting, if we do 
not rob Satan of one of his children, and bring a wan- 
derer home to his Father's house. Yet, how small is our 
faith, and how weak is our love to him. When I see one 
soul born to God in answer to prayer, I sa}' that I never 
will doubt God again, and perhaps, the next time I bow 
before him, damning unbelief rolls up again, and then 
another combat with powers of hell to subdue. Oh 
unbelief! one of the strongest powers of Satan. But 
still Satan is a conquered foe, and by watchfulness 
prayers and perseverance I can yet conquer, and my 
prayer, if only indicted by the Holy Spirit, can move this 
whole region, and make the wicked bow. Oh, what a 
difference there is in making prayer, saying prayer and 
praying. I suppose it is a difference that you have long 
known and felt, and what a happy thing it would be if 
the young would take the experience of the old, and go 
on towards perfection, and not have to begin again to 
lay the old superstructure that has been laid so many 
times. But instead of that we must all learn by our 
own experience,arid then lament at every step that we take 
that we serve God no more faithfully. It has been a source 
of pain to me, that so few have felt for the welfare of souls 
and the church have laid down in their dens, as though 
they had nothing to do in the cause of God. " It is 
like children in the market places, who will neither lament 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 71 

or dance." Oh, what an apathy ! Truly, it is to be 
dreaded more than thunder bursting over their heads. 
Yet there is a bright side to all the dark. There are a 
few who do feel for souls in this region. There are several 
places, where we have seen salvation, and where there are 
some revivals. May God add to their number and con- 
tinue the work, until the angel shall stand one foot on 
the dry land and the other on the sea, and pronounce 
time shall be no longer. Oh, what a day will that be to 
those who have no God!! 

Pray for your affectionate son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Antwerp, Dec. ii, 1838. 

My Dearest Parents : 

You perceive by this date that it is three days after 

. , the usual time for my birthday letter, but it is 

Review of the first opportunity that has offered itself for 

-1 ono 

* me to write, and now I have no time in compar- 
ison, that I can possibly devote to writing. This year 
has been a busy year with me. I have, however, held 
only three protracted meetings, one which lasted thirty 
days, and the others from two to three weeks, and many 
souls have, I trust, been born to God, for which He shall 
have the glory, for it is due to His great and holy name. 
But the multiplied duties of the minister's life have 
increased constantly, and the responsibility has also 
augmented and increased, and, Oh, that I but felt it still 
more, then might I act as becometh the child of God, 



72 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

and as the professed minister of Christ. But while some 
good has been done, the Lord only knows how much 
evil has been done by my unguarded, and my unholy 
walk. May the Lord direct me to the right path, that 
I may see the enormity of my own heart. The addi- 
tions to the church have been many during the year, and 
here responsibility increases constantly around me. I 
am more and more convinced that God intends we should 
build up his cause, and that man is his co-worker. 

There have been some interesting cases of conversion. 
Oh, how good it is to see men enlisting in the cause of 
the Redeemer, and sowing the seed of righteousness. I 
do not know why the word Thirty has such an effect on 
a person. But I now feel I am getting to be what is 
called a man of middle age, almost, having lived to 
commence my 30th year. Can it be possible? How 
short in appearance, is the time that has elapsed since I 
wrote my first birthday letter from this town, at the age 
of twenty-one, yet it has been some years. Neither 
does it look long since I commenced my studies. Nor 
is it beyond my memory when I removed from Reading 
to Troy ; nor when I went to the West; when I used to 
wear the little checkered apron ; nor do I forget being 
drawn to school by my dear Father on a little hand-sled, 
in Dutchess County ; nor is the impression effaced from 
my memory of seeing a drunken man lay upon the floor 
in grandfather's bar-room, at Rhynebeck Landing; nor 
of going into the store-house to catch snow birds with 
some of my uncles; nor do I forget when I was taken to 
the Methodist Church and seated along with cousin, 
William Lemon, on the steps around the altar, and there 
taught to kneel as others knelt for prayer ; nor have I 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 73 

forgotten on a visit to some of our connection (I cannot 
tell where), I received a little looking glass as a present, 
and a whipping with a planting rod from my mother ; 
nor do I forget how many times I have compelled her to 
whip me since ! 

Truly how checkered has been my life, and scarcely 
have I thought of the passing of time, until I began to 
say, I am in my 30th year. Now I feel it is time to put 
away childish things. Who would nave thought that I 
should have visited my parents but once in almost nine 
years. But so it is. I have been almost compelled to 
start for Albany, by the pleadings of little Aurelia and 
Emma, when they come into my study and say, " Pa, won't 
you go to Albany?" Why dears?" "Because we 
want to see Grandpa and Grandma Wickes." " W T hy do 
you wish to see them?" "Because we have never seen 
them, and if you will go we will give them a good kiss. 
Pa will you go when you get money enough?" There 
is a power in their pleadings that is stronger than any 
but a parent can know. We have during the last year 
enjoyed a good degree of health. Health is a great 
boon of Heaven. When the bodily health is good the 
mind is clear. Aurelia learns quite easily; she reads a 
great deal of the time, so much so, I am inclined to think 
it is not good for her. She is very thankful for the book 
you sent her, though it is quite hard for her to compre- 
hend. I do not know what we may do about sending 
her to school; as yet, we do not think it best. Emma 
enjoys very good health as a general thing, and loves her 
books, but is one of the most uneasy things you ever 
saw, all the time on the move. She reads in her abs. I 
desire that their life and education may be for the glory 



74 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

of God, and the building up of his cause. And it is my 
earnest prayer that they may know what practical Godli- 
ness is in their early days How responsible and 
accountable is the station of a parent. How little do those 
who are about forming the marriage connection think of 
it, or even know about it. But glorious promise, "My 
grace is sufficient for you." Remember us to all the 
brothers and sisters, and may we all meet in Heaven, is 
the prayer of your son. 

Lewis. 



(An extract). 

Antwerp, Dec. 9, 1839. 

My Dear and Affectionate Parents : 

You perceive that I date this one day after my birth- 
day, yesterday being Sabbath, I could not 
Review of devote to writing. How important so to im- 
1839. p rove time, that we may meet it at the bar of 
God with delight, feeling that we may meet with his 
blessed approval of "Well done good and faithful 
servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will 
make thee ruler over many. Enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord." Oh, how full of meaning is that text ! 
What is a good servant, and what qualities does a faith- 
ful servant possess ? I am very sensible that I cannot 
receive that appellation on my acts of obedience. The 
Lord has blessed me with a better state of health during 
the last year of my life, than for several years before. I 
have felt that God was taking charge of my body, and 
was strengthening me, but why, I can hardly tell, for I 
make such a poor use of my time, it must be but poor 
encouragement for God to thus bless. I sincerely ask 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 75 

forgiveness for all my unfaithfulness. I have had to 
groan over my negligence, until it has learnt me that 
obedience is better than sacrifice. I have held a pro- 
tracted meeting since we returned from Albany in 
September. I preached every night for seventeen 
evenings, and twice a day for fifteen days more, and 
done talking and praying enough to preach two more 
each day, besides, and the Lord blessed to the conver- 
sions of immortal souls. Some hard hearts, by grace, 
were made to bow to the Savior. One man, that is a 
very intelligent man, a man worth some five or six 
thousand dollars, had been an awful drunkard, came 
out on the side of the Lord, as we have reason to hope. 
After attending the meeting some two or three days, I 
visited him at his house. He rose in the congregation 
and addressed Bro. A. Stevens, and said : " Mr. Stevens 
I can forgive you to-night. You recollect that about 
three years ago, you prayed for me, and in your prayer 
you prayed I might be broken off from my cups, for ' no 
drunkard should enter the kingdom of Heaven.' There 
was considerable fuss made about it, and you came to 
me, and said it was ill timed, and not proper at that time 
and place. I told you I would never forgive you as long 
as I lived. But I can do it to-night, and feel willing to 
get down at your feet and ask your forgiveness for the 
abuse I have heaped upon you. Your prayer was right, 
and I knew it. The Lord, my family, my friends, and 
my conscience were all on one side, and my appetite and 
the devil on the other. I followed the devil. My 
drunkenness from that time has cost me more than one 
thousand dollars. At the rate I have gone since that, 
in two years more I should land my family in Canton 



76 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

poor house, and myself in the drunkard's grave. My 
friends, I am determined to serve my God, if it costs me 
all I am worth. I know my besetting sin. Do pray for 
me, that the Lord will help me to overcome my wicked- 
ness." He has lived so far very exemplary, and the 
wicked have been compelled to acknowledge the hand of 
the Lord in it, and as the work of God. May it please 
the Lord to make him what he desired to be, " a worker 
in the vineyard of the Lord." There were several cases 
of thrilling interest, and the Lord laid his hand heavily 
on their abominations. There was one young man, who 
came forward to the anxious seat for prayers, wanted to 
be a Christian, and day after day he would come, but 
would not yield up all for God. What was in the way, 
I could not tell. One day he was on his knees trying to 
pray, but could not. He was told his sins must be con- 
fessed out, let them be what they were, if he died in the 
work. " I will," says he, " I will." He rose from his 
knees and said : " My friends, I did not intend to come 
to this meeting, but I could not stay away, and when I 
came, I was determined not to be found on the anxious 
seat, but I could not keep off. I thought I would be a 
Christian, but I could not. I was willing to do every- 
thing but one thing, and that I did not believe was 
necessary, but there I have stood, and can not live so. 
That one thing that kept me back, was a beehive full of 
honey. Every time that I would ask God to have 
mercy on me, the beehive would come up, and I said I 
cannot confess it." (An innocent man had been charged 
with it). " But I do now acknowledge that I took Mr. 
Bushnal's beehive. I have confessed it to him, and paid 
him for it, and I ask forgiveness of all in this house. I 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 77 

did not get stung at the time, but I have been stung 
ever since. It was sweet to my taste, but it has proved 
a bitter pill to me." He then, as we trust, found his 
heart willing to bow at the feet of the Lord, and endeav- 
ored to lead others to the Savior. It would have done 
your souls good to have seen parents and children, 
brothers and sisters, mingling their prayers, and tears, 
and confessions together. Parents weeping over the 
conversion of children, and children rejoicing over the 
conversion of parents. Oh, if there is joy in Heaven, 
why should not we have some little foretaste of what 
we shall in full by and by. There have been during this 
present year, about eighty hopefully converted to the 
Lord. But it should be hundreds, instead of tens. And 
relying on the promises of God, I expect to see it yet. 
" For the children of God shall be as numerous as the 
hosts of Heaven, and as the sand upon the sea shore, 
and when God's people shall take delight in the stones ot 
Jerusalem, then will her light shine, and the glory of the 
Lord shall appear." Another meeting is expected here. 
Pray for me. I want the wisdom of God to direct me 
what to do. 

Your Affectionate Son, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



Antwerp, December 8, 1840, being the commence- 
ment of thirty-two years of the life of Lewis Alfred, 
eldest son of Jonas and Sarah B. Wickes, and who was 
born at Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York State. 



78 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Most Affectionate and Kindest of Parents : 

Another year has rolled into the eternal world, and is 
among those that have gone before it, and of which it 
may be said, "it was, and is gone." How different time 
is from eternity. It will there be said, that it is, but 
never that it was. When the Lord had created the sun, 
etc., He tells their use. — " To divide the day from the 
night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for 
days, and for years." (Gen: i: 14.) It is from these 
that we know of the flight of time. The sun has risen 
and set so many times, and the stars, like so many 
candles, have appeared as often, (though not always to 
be seen by us), and thus is known that a year has rolled 
round. But in eternity there is no sun, moon, or stars. 
(Rev. 21: 23). So we have no patterns to number the 
days, for there is no night (that is to the righteous), and 
no day for the abode of sorrow. But I suppose there 
will be a consciousness of the duration of joy and 
sorrow. How delightful the thought, that we may all 
meet there. Are our ranks to be broken, and who shall 
be the one? * * * Indeed, can you tell me when a child 
ceases to be a child, for Paul says, "when I was a child, I 
thought as a child, I spake as a child, but since I 
became a man" etc. Is it a sudden step from child to 
man, and from young man to — what kind of a man shall 
I call it, or is it a gradual process of little by little? But 
after all, what matters it. I am an immortal being, and 
so is my fellow, whether a child, a young man, a man in 
the meridian of life, or past the noon-time of life, and to 
all I have duties to do, according to my ability and 
opportunity, and may it please the Lord to grant me 
His grace to qualify me for them. In reviewing my life 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 79 

for the past year, I find so much of unfaithfulness in it, 
that it seems that I have nothing but a chapter of con- 
fessions on my part to record, and of God's unbounded 
forbearance on his part, for the more I see of myself, the 
more does the long suffering of Christ appear towards 
rebels, and compassion towards the chief of sinners. 
For truly the Lord is good, and his tender mercies are 
over all his works, and I find him to be good even to me, 
as vile as I am, and as unfaithful as I may have been. 
There is not anything peculiar in my history of the last 
year. I have seen some seventy or one hundred hope- 
fully converted to Christ. This, to be sure, has caused 
the angels in Heaven to rejoice, and some have given 
glory to God on earth for the gift of his Holy Spirit. 
How cheerful it would be if all the converts could be 
counted by the 1,000 and 10,000 a day. May the Lord 
hasten the day. My labors have been more interrupted 
by ill health, than for ten or twelve years. But the 
Lord is now helping me, and I find that I have more 
strength given to me daily. Pray that I may use it for 
the honor and glory of God. May God crown your last 
days with joy, is the prayer of your affectionate son. 

L. A. WlCKES. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Beginning of Evangelistic Work. 

In February, 1841, Mr. Wickes went to Richville and 
assisted Rev. Gorham Cross in a protracted meeting 
which was crowned with the blessing of the Lord. Also 
in the same month Mr. W. had business connected with 
the Black River Association, which called him down to 
Massena, St. Lawrence County. On his return he stopped 
at Rev. Mr. Taylor's, in Norfolk, and as his usual 
manner was to pray and converse with every member of 
the family on the subject of the soul's salvation, he found 
much tenderness of feeling on the subject. Brother Tay- 
lor requested him to come to Norfolk and hold a meet- 
ing; he replied, if his people would give their consent. 
Brother Taylor immediately wrote a letter to the church 
desiring it, for Christ's sake to consent to his coming to 
Norfolk and labor for the good of that people. The 
church were unanimous in letting him go for a short time. 
During this trip he writes as follows : 

Richville, February 13th, 1 841. 

My Kind Affectionate and Dear Wife: 

I have looked for a letter from you every mail to 
inform me of the welfare of my dear children and the 
rest of the family. Your letter almost unmanned me 
when you told me of the sickness of my youngest 

80 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 81 

child, as well as the others and the care they must be. I 
felt that I could not stay away from home another hour, 
were it not for the greater good of the cause of Christ I 
often feel how pleasant it would be if I could spend my 
days and much of my time in the bosom of my dear fam- 
ily, and with them serve God, and with them meet around 
the domestic circle in serving the blessed Savior. How 
few there are that know the trials of a minister's family. 
The professional man, the merchant, the mechanic and 
the farmer, may enjoy the delightful time of spending the 
morning and evening in the pleasures of home and his 
dearest friend. But not so with the ambassadors of Jesus. 
But be still my treacherous heart, we shall one day meet 
where parting never comes. In the midst of all this, 
there is a sweet and pleasant thought that we may serve 
and honor God in his glorious cause and lead souls to 
Christ, for whom Christ died and Jesus bled. And let us 
make up of the suffering of Christ which are behind. I 
suppose you will want to know of the battle. The first 
Sabbath the Baptist house was thronged to overflowing, 
since that we have had a pretty fair congregation day and 
night. God's spirit has moved among the people ; several 
backsliders have been reclaimed, and from fifteen to 
twenty, or perhaps more sinners have been converted, 
some of them very clear cases. There are from twenty 
to fifty on the anxious seat, and many who last winter 
were very violent in their opposition, now are quite seri- 
ous. Some who state publicly that they were Univer- 
salis ts, have risen for, and some have come forward for 
prayers, and have been on their knees. There have been 
some converted from Gouverneur DeKalb and Hermon 
and the whole region seems to be under the moving of the 



LIFE AND LETTERS 



Holy Ghost. Brother DeKalb closed his school, his 
scholars nearly all left him. And such is the state of 
things here that I have felt that it was a plain case of 
duty for me to stay over the Sabbath, and it is thought 
by all of us that Brother Cook nor Cross can be spared, 
as the Sabbath will be an important day and we want an 
anxious meeting in one house and preaching in the other. 
I shall, therefore, send a messenger this morning to Bro. 
S. and request him to preach in Antwerp on the Sabbath. 
If he should come, you may have a part of this letter 
read to the church. Tell Bro. B. to come here and bring 
his family. The mail has come and I must stop. Dear 
wife if you can leave home, do come and help. Love 
to all. 

As ever your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



RlCHVILLE, Feb. 2 ist, 1 841. 

Dear Wife: 

The stage has got the start of me. The state of 
things here are such that it is thought best to hold on 
over the Sabbath, and to make a little longer effort to 
save souls. The Lord is in our midst, to Him be all the 
glory and honor. Pray that our weak and almost ex- 
hausted strength, may be sustained through this conflict, 
we need all that we can command on the Sabbath. I 
have thought, therefore, that I should leave the church at 
A. destitute. I do very much regret to do so, but such 
seems to be the state of things that I cannot see how 
it can be otherwise. I wish there may be a sermon read 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 83 

from Dr. E. or C. G, F., and that the church keep up 
their meetings and have notice given that that the Lord's 
Supper will be administered in two weeks. We shall 
probably be home on Tuesday or Wednesday evening of 
next week. I have not time to write more. I will bring 
all the news when I come from the battle. Pray for us. 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



This was the commencement of a most blessed work 
This was just Q f the Holy Spirit throughout that favored 

before he com- . r . , , p., T 

menced his la- region of country, particularly St. Law- 

borsasanEvan- ren ce County. 

gelist. 

Returning, as he expected, he writes from his home 
to the pastor at Richville : 

Antwerp, March 4th, 1841. 
Dear Brother Cross : 

Providence permitting, I will be at your house on 
B , . Tuesday evening to go on to Massena the 
to Norfolk, next day, if the going is any way passable. 
I want you should be ready to go on that morning. 
Owing to my church affairs I shall not be able to start 
before four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, so that I may 
not be able to get to your place before half-past six or 
seven o'clock. If you think best under these circum- 
stances to appoint a meeting on that evening, you can, 
and Providence permitting I will be there. If, however, 
the going should break up so that it would be imprudent, 
our journey will be postponed until after the ground settles, 



84 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

and in that case you need not look for me. There has noth- 
ing special taken place since I saw you. I have preached 
two funeral sermons since I returned home from Masse- 
na, one on a child of nine months, and the other on Mrs. 
Blanchard, of Philadelphia. The last I preached on the 
Sabbath, and another funeral which I had to send Broth- 
er Cook to supply. How great the contrast between the 
salvation of the sinner and the burying of the dead. 
What a man of God a minister ought to be, to weep 
with those that weep and rejoice with those who do re- 
joice; one day to rejoice with friends over the repentance 
of a friend, and the next day to mourn with others 
over the loss of a friend. May God give grace and qual- 
ify us for all the great duties which are devolving upon 
us. Say to all, " Remember Lot's wife." 
Love to Mrs. Cross. 

In haste, your brother, 

Rev. G. Cross. L. A. WICKES. 



The following letter explains how soon and where his 
next labors commenced : 

Norfolk, March 12th, 1841. 
To the First Presbyterian Church in Antwerp, Greeting: 
Dear Brethren : In the providence of God we 
The first call to are disappointed in regard to the expected 

labor as an Evan- . _ _ ^ . 

gelist in St. Law- assistance of Kev. J . Burcnard in making 
rence Co. special efforts to revive religion among us. 
We had concluded to throw ourselves upon the Lord, 
and go forward trusting to him to furnish such assistance 
as he saw best. In this state of deep anxiety we had 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 85 

the happiness to greet Brother Wickes at our own door 
It looked like a particular interposition of Providence. It 
occasioned the springing up of relief and joy in our 
bosom. I now write to beg you to permit him to come 
and spend two or three weeks with us in a protracted 
meeting. I have no doubt he will be the instrument of 
the conversion of many souls here at this time. I am 
asking you to make a sacrifice, dear brethren, but I think 
I am asking it for the Lord's sake and for the sake of 
souls. Will you not throw yourselves upon the promise, 
" He that watereth shall be watered also himself," and let 
your Minister come, and pray for the success of his labors 
while here? I am confident that we shall not ask you to 
make any pecuniary sacrifice. He is waiting and I have 
time to say no more, only to beg you to hear our cry and 
suffer your Minister to come over and help us. 

With Christian affection, 

A. TAYLOR. 



Norfolk, March 22d, 1841. 
My Dear Wife: 

I have looked for a letter from you every day since last 
Friday, and as yet I have not yet heard a word from you. 
I have felt very anxious about the people on the Sabbath, 
but heard nothing from you for which reason I did not 
know what to do. I felt somehow as though you would 
be supplied on the Sabbath, and here it was thought that 
it would be impossible for any one to get there from here, 
and indeed there was no one but Brother Taylor that I 
could send, and the state of feeling was such that I 
thought it was imprudent for him to leave. Though if I 



86 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

had known that Brother Cook, or some other had not 
expected to be there in season, I would have made other 
arrangements. But it is past, and I wish you would 
write immediately and let me know whether the pulpit 
was supplied, and if you have heard from Brother Cook. 
Or if you know of any arrangements which will cause it 
to be supplied, I wish you to write immediately on the 
reception of this. Things are very interesting here. The 
whole community is on the move, there have been fifteen 
or more hopeful conversions ; last evening there was a 
large number of persons rose for prayers. But the church 
do not move much, there are a few who do get hold a 
little, and the spirit of God seems to move all around. 
Brother Taylor's son and daughter are among the sub- 
jects of the work, and Brother Taylor's house seems to 
be a Bethel for the Lord to bless the souls of men. Some 
families are on the altar ready to work for God, yet others 
are standing back. If the church will only get out of 
the way I feel we shall have a work here, that I have not 
witnessed for years. Truly, the harvest is ripe and noth- 
ing to hinder. May God grant that it may be a work of 
his own glory and power. Do pray for us. There are 
some that feel for souls here, but I do believe it is Zion's 
praying in other places that does prevail in this great 
victory. It is time for meeting, I must close. Tell all to 
pray. My health is better than when I left home. Bless 
the Lord. 

As ever, your husband and father, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Norfolk, March 27th, 1841. 
Dear Wife : 

If I have one, for I most begin to think that some- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 87 

thing has taken place. I have been forgotten, at least, for 
I have looked for a letter from you for some days, or 
looked for you and seen nothing as yet. What is the 
matter? Do, I beg of you, write soon, for I feel very 
anxious to know whether Brother Cook has arrived at 
Antwerp, or whether there has been any preaching since 
I left. The state of things here is now quite interest- 
ing, and the whole community seems to be on the move. 
The cause of God seems to be gaining ground, and many 
begin to be taking hold ; I cannot say now how many 
have obtained a hope as yet, but there have been some 
forty or fifty, among them are the old of sixty or seventy 
years down to the youth, some heads of families, and the 
Spirit of God seems to find way to the hardest hearts, 
and the mouths of scoffers seems to be stopped. And 
O, what a host of " old hopers " and " backsliders " have 
been dug out! We have two meetings in the morning, a 
prayer meeting and anxious meeting. There are four 
Evangelical denominations, and they all unite in the 
work to some extent. Last evening a Universalist wanted 
to come and help, but he was seated very soon. I do 
believe God has great blessings in store for Norfolk and 
the region around. Do pray for us. Tell the dear 
brethren of the church I will be home as soon as I can 
see it is duty and the will of God. God is hearing their 
prayers for this place. O may the Lord have mercy on 
Antwerp too. Gen. Blake has a good deal of feeling 
about his soul, pray for him, he has an interesting family. 
The Lord have mercy on him. I must close. 

In haste, your affectionate, 

L. A. WICKES. • 



88 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

P. S. — I have many pressing invitations to hold 
meetings. How much work to be done in the vineyard 
of the Lord, my dear, let us pray that God would direct. 
The harvest is great, the laborers few, the Lord prospers 
the obedient. 



Norfolk, April 5, 1841. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

It was with delight that I heard from you, I can assure 
you. But sorry that you had not concluded to come. I 
wish you could be here. Be careful of your own and the 
children's health, and do all of you pray much and lie 
low at the feet of Christ. Oh ! how little I have tried to 
be like God and a minister of the Lord. I have but a 
moment to write, and I suppose you would like to know 
how the work is progressing. 

To the Church I would say, that the work is the most 
powerful of anything that I have seen for years. It 
takes all, from the aged man of seventy down to the 
child of eight or ten years. I have not the most distant 
idea of the number of hopeful conversions — they are very 
numerous, indeed. Among the heads of families that 
have been converted is Major General Blake, and truly I 
never saw a more humble and devout convert; one 
of his aids, Col. Sackrider; Mr. B., the deputy sheriff; 
Mr. A., the supervisor of the town, and a host of others. 
Among the youth I know not how many. I counted 
yesterday in the choir of singers twenty-five who have 
given pleasing evidence of conversion since the meeting 
commenced, and scores of others. Every mouth seems 
to be closed, and a universal solemnity upon the whole 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. ©9 

community. Saturday evening there were more than one 
hundred and fifty forward for prayers, and more than sixty 
rose with a determination to serve the Lord. Amid the 
mud and bad roads we have a congregation of rising of 
four hundred every day, and the number seems to be in- 
creasing constantly, and new cases of conviction and 
conversion even' day and evening, and some as interest- 
ing cases as I have ever known. Yesterday there was a 
congregation of between seven and eight hundred, at the 
least calculation. I asked for an expression of feeling 
and desire about having the meeting continued, with a 
pledge that the}' would do all in their power to help forward 
the work, as long as the providence of God should point 
out our duty to continue: and to attend when it was 
possible, and when it was not possible, they would spend 
much time in prayer, and would work and do all they 
could, and there were as many as six hundred rose as 
one man, and did thus covenant. There are only about 
two thousand inhabitants in the town, and more than 
one quarter, if not one-third, have been under the mov- 
ings of the Spirit of God. How could I do less than go 
on with the meeting ? Truly, it was a call of God, and 
I have no doubt about its final results to thus obey God. 
A school of young gentlemen and ladies at Lower Nor- 
folk has been suspended a few days. The feeling was so 
great, and some eight or ten have bowed to the sceptre of 
a Savior's love, and others are under very serious impres- 
sions. To God be the glory — to Him alone. " Bless the 
Lord, oh, my soul, for all His mighty deeds which He has 
wrought. He has overthrown the horse and his rider." 
And let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord. I 
ask, my dear family, wife and sisters, and my dear church, 



90 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

too, is it not evident that you did the will of God in let- 
ting me come. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the 
least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me," is 
the language of our blessed Lord. How long I may 
continue here I cannot say. You may be led to ask, has 
our husband and minister lost all affection for his family 
and the people of his charge ? No, no ! never did my 
family and my dear church look so precious to me as at the 
present,when I see on what a slender point hung the des- 
tiny of so many souls (I mean the vote of the church in 
that upper room.) It makes them dearer and still dearer 
to my heart. When I have seen the members of the 
choir turning to God I have thought of those of the 
choir in my own dear church. Oh, remember them in 
prayer. May the Lord grant they may chant the praises 
of God in glory. They have been united on earth, may 
they be in glory, is the earnest prayer of their minister. 
I do still sincerely ask the church to keep their hearts 
right, and still pray for us here, for I have felt your prayers 
much. "Again I say, pray for us." In your letter to me 
you did not say whether Brother Cook would stay until 
I returned or not. I wish you would let me know all 
about it. I do earnestly request the church to stay up 
his hands and let his soul feel that the church are. labor- 
ing for the cause and with him. And may I hear of the 
conversion of souls, among you. 

So much of this sheet as relates to the work of God 
here, I wish to be read to the church if I am not home 
before the next Sabbath. 

My dear, pray much. 

Yonr affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 91 

Brother Taylor's family all send love to you. Write 
me immediately, if you please. 
To Emma and Anna : 

Dear Sisters: I have felt very- solicitous that you 
should live for God, as we entered into our mutual cove- 
nant around the domestic altar that we would. Do not 
have your minds taken up with the trash of earth. Oh! 
I wish you were here to help in this blessed work of God, 
but you are not and I suppose you cannot be. But 
get your hearts here, and by an eye of faith see us at 
the house of God. Our anxious meetings every morning 
are attended by some hundreds, Christians and all. Now. 
do spend much time in prayer that the Lord will bless 
for His name's sake. Do not be light and vain in all your 
intercourse with others, but do bear the marks of a 
Savior's love all the time. Oh, let us be like a family in 
heaven, all loving God and each other. Let us pray 
much for each other. 

Your brother, 

L. A. WICKES. 

AUFELIA AND EMMA : 

Your Pa thinks much about you and as -we do not 
have any meeting this forenoon, while I wrote to your 
dear ma and aunts, I thought I would like to have you, 
one on one knee and the other on the other knee, and 
sing, "Salvation, O, the joyful sound." But you are not 
here, so I will just say a few words to you. There are a 
good many little girls and boys here that when they come 
to meeting they weep and cry because they have been 
such wicked children, as not to be thankful to God for 
all his kindness to them. Now, I want that my little 



92 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

daughters would love the Lord, and pray that Jesus 
would give them new hearts, indeed. Little Emma, do 
learn to read as fast as you can. When pa comes home 
he wants to come with the blessing of God, which he 
cannot do unless the Lord says, go home. When this 
work is done he will not stay long here, I can assure you. 
Be very good children, and make your ma as happy as 
you can. Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Norfolk, April ioth, 1841. 

My Affectionate Wife : 

I have but a moment to write, but will say a word. I 
was in hopes that you would have written so that I could 
have heard from you yesterday so that I could have had a 
little assistance from you to know what to do, for I know 
not what course to take or how to turn for the glory of 
God. That God does call here now I have not the least 
doubt. This week has been a week of favor. On Thurs- 
day afternoon I preached to converts, and there were one 
hundred and seventy that gave in their names to be 
admitted into some church, but very few children among 
them, mostly middle-age and aged. Quite a large num- 
ber of heads of families. The evening after, there were 
some ten or fifteen more hopeful conversions. Yesterday 
several more of prominent cases, so that we can safely 
put the number rising of two hundred, who mean to 
serve God from this day forth. Truly, what has God 
wrought, to Him be all the glory. It is the Lord's doings 
and wondrous in our eyes. Notwithstanding the mud 
and " sap weather," we have a congregation of about four 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 93 

hundred every day. Last evening there were about fifty 
new cases on the anxious seat, most of them had not 
been there before. I can see no place to close the meet- 
ing. I have preached twice every day since I have been 
here, besides the anxious meeting in the morning and 
other labors. I feel somewhat exhausted, but the Lord 
is my strength. Several have been converted in Lower 
Norfolk. The church got together and voted they would 
do any thing to help forward the work if I would come 
there when I got through here, and about sixty impeni- 
tent rose and said they would attend the meeting and 
use all the means, if I would come, to get eternal life. 
What I shall do I cannot say until I hear from home. I 
I never had so much anxiety about my family and church 
before. But I do know if they will .serve the Lord he 
will take care of them and bless them. I wish the church 
and society would pass a vote something like this : That 
so long as the Lord seemed to say so plainly it is my 
duty to labor here, they do cheerfully say " stay," and will 
continue praying. If they will send me a copy of it by 
the earliest mail from the clerk of the society, then I 
should feel to leave them in the hands of God longer. 
But I must close, may the Lord direct and bless you. Do 
continue to pray much for us. 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



I know not how long I may stay here, but I shall, 
God willing, be home on the first Sabbath in May, if not 
before, may the Lord direct. I do feel grateful that the 



94 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Extract church were inclined to say, " stay there, and we 
from w -jj p ra ^ £ or y 0LL " i f ee j that God will bless them, 

letter, and make His face to shine upon them. Since I 
last wrote you, the work has not abated at all. New cases 
of conviction and conversion every day. Some men have 
been brought to the Lord, who have not attended meeting 
before for ten or fifteen years. The infidels and the Univer- 
salists have been compelled to bow before the Lord. One 
man, a trustee in the Universalist Society in M. came out 
and advised all to forsake it, for he dare no longer build 
upon it, and would no longer stay from Christ ; and another 
man, that was the leader of the Universalist Society in 
the same place, has come out and renounced his errors, 
and truly, he appears to be a regenerated man as well as 
a converted man. Both of them have been in my room 
and poured out their hearts to my Savior in prayer, and 
both set up the family altar. May God make them emi- 
nently useful to their deluded brethren in sin. I cannot 
say how many have been brought to Christ since my last, 
but I think I speak within bounds when I say one 
hundred. To-morrow I preach to the converts again, God 
willing. Truly, what hath God wrought! To Him be 
all the glory and honor. I can speak within bounds when 
I say there have been fifty, if not seventy-five family 
altars erected in this community since this meeting com- 
menced. Last evening there were rising of fifty on the 
anxious seat, all new cases, some twenty of whom vowed 
to serve the Lord. The bell has called for meeting and I 
must close. Love to all. 

Pray for your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



CHAPTER Til. 



Revival meeting at Massena— Removal of Fam- 
ily to S tow's Square. 

Massena, April 22, 1841. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife; 

y^Sr OU will perceive by this that I have removed my 




quarters a little farther North, so far as to get to 
brother Northrup's. I closed at Norfolk last Sab- 
bath, and preached to those who had been converted ; after 
I preached to the converts before, and there were seventy 
took their seats together, and there were something like 
fifty individuals that we knew of who where not pres- 
ent. There were, during that meeting, something over 
two hundred and forty that gave in their names to unite 
with the different churches. It was only by the earnest 
entreaty of saints and sinners that I came to this town. 
I have spent two days in the center of the town in clos- 
ing up the meeting at Norfolk. Brother Northrup had 
been holding evening meetings, and at the close of the 
meeting yesterday there were forty-five expressed hope 
in the Lord Jesus. Things were very encouraging. I 
came here to the village last evening and preached my 
first sermon. I cannot say how long I shall be here; I 
think I shall be here but a few days. We have no place 
but a large school-house to hold the meetings in. The 
95 



96 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Baptists, or rather the supporters of Kent, will not let us 
have the meeting-house here, and the school-house was 
almost full last evening. Nothing but the most plain 
and positive sense of duty will keep me away from home 
a single day. The work in Norfolk has affected this 
place very much, indeed, and the wicked are beginning to 
feel the importance of becoming Christians in a small 
degree. To-day I am left alone, as Bro. N. goes to preach 
a funeral sermon some six miles off. What to expect 
here I cannot say. I hope for the best. Christians are 
praying for this place in all directions around. I hope for 
a general breaking up and to have it a short work. May 
God hasten it. I think now I shall be home a week from 
next Sabbath, if the Lord will. But for fear I shall not, 
I think the Lord's Supper and the preparatory lecture 
had best be put off until the second Sabbath in May, 
when, the Lord willing, I will again meet the people in 
Antwerp. But the indications of the Spirit of God and 
His providence are such that I cannot for a moment say 
it is not my duty to spend a few days here. I have not 
time to write more now. Pray for us here, and especially 
for me. Let Brother Cook give the notice about the 
Lord's Supper. Pray much for me. 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



MASSENA, May 3, 1 84 1, \ 
In contemplation of May 3. ) 

To AURELIA E. WlCKES ; 

My Affectionate Daughter: This day you know is 
your birthday, and your papa has been for some weeks 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 97 

anticipating spending this day with you at home. But 
the providence of God is so ordered that he will be de- 
prived of that privilege, so I thought I would talk with 
you on a piece of paper with my pen. You know that 
talking is telling one another every thought. And al- 
though I cannot make you hear my voice, yet I can write 
it on paper, and you and your dear ma can read it, and 
then you will know my thoughts just as well as if you 
heard my voice, and I had you on one knee and your sis- 
ter Emma on the other. I have got this sheet of paper 
from Mr. Northrup to write this to you because I am a 
friend to the slave, and because my little daughter is also 
The paper a friend to them, and so everybody says they are 
p j c Ju re a $ friends, too, but there are a good many that say 
a black they are friends that take and chain him, just as 
Chains' on y° Ll see tnat man m the picture, because he 
his hands W ants to go where he can take care of his children, 
and the Now, do you think he can be a friend ? And 
words wou ld you want such friends ? Would you not 

"Am I not " 1111 

a man and think that person would be the the best friend 
abrother w j 10 wou ]d cu |- off his chains and take him awav 

printed J 

around it. from such a hard master ? The stage has gone 
out and so I cannot send it now. 

May 3. — To-day is your birthday. You are now seven 
years old. O, how fast time does go, and my daughter, 
I had another thought about slavery; and it is that all 
people are sinners and the slave master is the devil, and 
he was expecting to get them all in his own prison house 
of despair, and then to torment them forever. But the 
Savior came and died that we might be liberated from 
his iron grasp, and cut off the chains of sin and made us 
all free, and so no longer to be slaves. Now, when a 



98 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Saviour has done so much, should you not love him and 
be very good, and love to pray to him, and to get others 
to love him, too. You are now so old, my dear, that you 
must serve the Lord and obey Him. You have been 
taught to say your prayers by your dear mama; but 
that is not enough. You must feel in your heart to 
pray to that Saviour, and love to pray to him, for he is 
only the one you should love. I have seen a good many 
little boys and girls who have, I hope, given their hearts 
to God and are serving him, and I want when pa comes 
home that you will have the same good news to tell your 
dear father. 

I am now on the Racket and Grass rivers ; that is 
between and within two miles of the St. Lawrence river. 
(They call the St. Lawrence here " the big river.") There 
are some very pleasant places around here, and I have 
wished you were here with pa, too, and so also your 
mother and sister. But you cannot come until your pa 
comes after you, and he thinks now he will before next 
Sabbath, and see you all, I feel that it has been a great 
while since I saw you, and how should we feel if we never 
should meet again in this world. May the Lord grant 
that we may meet. But how much more deadful the 
thought if we should not meet in the world above, and 
may we so serve the Savior that we may love to meet 
that Redeemer in Heaven. See how good a girl you 
can be, and how happy make your mother and sister, 
and when you see everybody happy because you do good, 
then you will be happy yourself. I have found a little 
prayer here which I thought you would love to learn by 
heart : 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 93 

" My father's gone away, 
I wish he would come home, 
I do not like to have him stay 
Where I can't see him every day — 
Ma, when will father come? 

" He told me I must pray 

To God, with love sincere ; 

But I do, I always say, 

Please bring my father home to-day, 

And keep him safely here,'' 

But I cannot write any more now, I must bid you 
farewell for the present. Pray for yourself and for your 
dear father. 

L. A. WICKES. 

MASSENA, May 8th, 1841. 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

You see I am here yet, when I had anticipated being 
with my dear family. But God's ways are not our ways, 
and our thoughts are not as His thoughts. As I said, 
on Wednesday I preached to the converts. When ris- 
ing of one hundred and twenty, gave in their names to 
unite with some of the churches in this place. The 
people begged so hard for me to stay a few days longer, 
that I finally concluded to stay until after the Sabbath, 
when God willing, I shall start for Antwerp. I wrote 
to Brother Cross to go to A. and administer the Lord's 
Supper if I did not get to his house by noon on Satur- 
day, and expecting he would do it, I felt it would be 
wrong for me to leave. Since Thursday, there have been 
some twenty or thirty hopeful conversions. The work 
is among all ranks, and classes. And God has got to 



100 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Himself a great and glorious name. Some of the 
wealthiest men and their families have been subjects of 
the work. I have not time to say more as I expect the 
mail every moment. I have many things to say when I 
see you. Still pray for your own dear husband. I shall, 
God willing, start for home on Monday or Tuesday. 1 
have never felt more clear than I have since I left home 
that I am doing the will of God, and I feel to lay myself 
and family in the hands of God, and let Him do as He 
pleases, He will direct. In haste, but in love. 

As ever, your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 
Mr. W. from this time began to feel it his duty to 
labor as an Evangelist. 



In June, 1 841, Mr. Wickes, accompanied by his wife 
went to Potsdam and held a very successful meeting, at 
the close of which he received the following from the 
students of the academy : 

Accompanied with the prayers of his Christian friends 
in the academy, Mr. Wickes will have the kindness to 
accept the enclosed ; begging, at the same time, to be 
remembered as in his intercessions at the throne of grace, 
and especially that those of our number, whose hearts 
are not rich towards God, may never be forgotten. 
Yours, dear sir, very respectfully, 

STUDENTS. 

Saturday, June 26th, 1841. 

$20.00 was the enclosed. 
The result of the meeting was given in a letter from 
Miss Lydia Raymond. 



LEWIS ALFRED AVICKES. 101 

At Potsdam, June, 1841, a meeting was held, and 
very successful, after which sixty-eight united with the 
Presbyterians ; fifty united with the Episcopalians ; fifty 
united with the Methodists. 

An extract from a letter, by Miss L. R., gives this 
result : 

Antwerp, July 2nd, 1841. 

Dear Parents and Friends: 

You will perceive by this that we have returned to 
our home again in good health and strength as can be 
expected. I have but a moment to write, and should 
not say much. But the Lord willing, we shall see you 
face to face on Monday, and if you choose, and it is 
thought advisable, I will preach there in the afternoon, 
say half-past five or six o'clock. But if you think it not best, 
you need not give the notice. It may be perhaps, news 
to you and unexpected, when I tell you that we have 
concluded to occupy another field of labor for a while, I 
just mention it, that you may think about it some before 
we get to your place. I have invitations to hold meet- 
ings which will take at least six months, if not a year to 
comply with, and it is a most effectual door for doing 
good in the cause of God. I have a meeting to commence 
on Thursday, the 8th inst., at the village of Canton, the 
Shire Town of the county. It is a hard place, and I 
know a great responsibility rests upon me, and may I 
rely upon the Lord's strong and mighty hand. Now, we 
have thought a good many things about what to do 
with our affairs, and one thought which we have had, is 
to move them for the present, and wife and the children 
spend their time there while I may be off in St. Law- 



102 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

rence County. I just mention it, that you may think 
about it and be ready to give us your advice. When I 
see you I will tell you more about things. 

Affectionately your son, 
For Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilcox: L. A. WICKES. 

During the months of June and August, 1841, Mr. 
Wickes held a meeting at Potsdam, which resulted in a 
glorious work of grace which was the occasion of the 
change in the above letter. Mrs. W. accompanied him 
to Potsdam. 




CHAPTER VIII. 

MEETING AT CANTON AND WADDINGTON. 

Canton, July 3d, 1841. 
Dear Brother: 




OUR church have concluded to hold a protracted 
^jtpSjjS meeting, provided they can obtain your assistance. 
^t^% There were some when the question was submitted 
to the church, who were in favor of having the meeting de- 
ferred until after the hurry of the season was over. It was, 
however, concluded on the whole to commence at once, as 
soon as the necessary assistance could beprocurred. All, 
I believe, were in favor of having you come. I have 
just taken your letter from the post-office, and find that 
you have concluded to come and commence on Thurs- 
day, the 8th inst. The appointment will be made on 
that day for an evening service, and we shall expect you 
here. Opposition to this meeting is strong and power- 
ful. There are many adversaries. I have given it all up 
into the hands of the Almighty, my only desire is to do 
right myself, and have the church do the same. " In the 
path of duty is safety!' In undertaking this meeting at 
this season of the year, and in view of the hosts of the 
103 



104 LIFE AND LETTERS 

ungodly around, I feel that we need much of God's 
presence. We must have his powerful arm revealed or 
all is lost. May God's gracious Spirit descend with 
mighty power. Love to you and yours. 

Your brother in Christ, 

R. PETTIBONE. 



Norfolk, July 9th, 1841. 

Dear Brother Wickes : 

It has become my painful duty to announce to you 
that our dear Brother Adolphus is gone to his rest, and 
a unanimous request of his friends is that you come and 
preach his funeral sermon^ to-morrow (Saturday,) at two 
o'clock P. M. Whether it is consistent with duty for you 
to come, we submit to you, and our brethren in Canton 
to decide, come if duty will permit. Otherwise it is our 
request that Brother Pettibone come and preach the ser- 
mon. Brother Pettibone is earnestly requested to attend 
the funeral at all events, and spend the Sabbath with us 
if he can. 

Your brother in the gospel, 

J. B. TAYLOR. 



Canton, July nth, 1841. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife; 

I have not had a moment's time since I have been 
here that I could get to write to you. I never left my 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 105 

family with so heavy a heart as when I parted from the 
Square. I found that if I stopped to say good-bye, I 
should only make you mourn and feel more and still more 
sorrowful. I therefore started off without ceremony or 
compliments. When I got to Antwerp, and then bid 
them farewell, I felt again a heavy load. When I saw 
the last articles put up for departure, I felt, indeed it was 
a heavy load. W 7 hen I heard of W. setting his house on 
fire, and his leaving his family, and see how fast the steps 
of wickedness were rolling before that people, then again 
my spirit was oppressed. When Bro. L. came to leave 
me and start away with my horse and wagon, and think 
that all I had was now leaving me, I inquired for a room 
and there went and gave vent to my full heart. Ten 
thousand scenes of the future danced before my vision, 
and I could see you in all circumstances but that of hap- 
piness. But I found I was giving away to sorrow, that 
would lead me to murmur against the leadings of the 
Lord. I felt that God had made it my duty to take 
care of my family, and my family could not be with me, 
therefore it was my duty to be with them, and that I 
had decided wrong, and I should lament it when too 
late. The responsibility of this meeting rolled upon 
me, and I felt I was truly a vile and most sinful worm. 
But on Friday afternoon, I had a still heavier trial than 
all before. I received two letters from Norfolk, request- 
ing me to preach the funeral sermon of our esteemed 
and dear Brother Taylor, the minister of that place. Yes, 
that dear brother is no more ! I went and preached on 
Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, to a crowded house, 
and an afflicted family and church, but my feelings 
were such that I could not preach, though I tried to 
7 



106 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

from Acts II. There were eleven ministers besides my- 
self. Their large house could not hold the people that 
assembled. He died from the kick of a horse which 
happened about eight or ten days before his death. He 
had his reason until the last, and he bid all his friends 
farewell. Oh, how short and uncertain is life. There 
was a general mourning for him. The choir of singers 
were all dressed in mourning. The ladies with white 
dresses, black belts, and black scarfs about their necks. 
Truly, I began to believe what you told me, that I need 
not lean on Brother Taylor or any other, for we know 
not what the Lord would do with man. It is mysterious 
and dark ! Sisters Taylor's feelings you can better imag- 
ine, than I can describe. They are afflicted in very deed, 
and so is also the whole county. May the Lord fill up 
his place, and his mantle fall upon someone. It is a les- 
son to me, to " be ye also ready," for in a day and in an 
hour, when I little think I may be called. Oh, may my 
work be done and well done. How God is kindly dealing 
with us as a family. May we remember the blessing, 
and acknowledge him in all our ways. What that dear 
people will do, the great Shepherd of Israel alone knows. 
By this circumstance there is a gloom over all the churches. 
As to the state of things here. On Thursday evening 
we had something of a little number out. I preached 
from " Search me, Oh, God," Ps. 109. And Friday morn- 
ing there were quite a goodly number that were out, and 
some feeling, and so in the afternoon and the evening. 
Saturday morning there were some who professed to 
have given themselves to the Lord. Among them was 
the mother of the Misses E., whom you saw at Pots- 
dam. Saturday afternoon and evening, Brother Pettibone 



LEWIS ALFRED AVICKES. 107 

Subjects preached, while I was at Norfolk. Yes- 
of convicting terday we had a crowded house, I gave 

sermons. them Abraham and Eli in the morning, 
in the afternoon, John 6:44, and in the evening, the 
Jailer and Felix. God's Spirit is evidently hovering 
over this place. Several of the lawyers were yesterday 
melted into tears. " But drops of tears can ne'er repay, 
the debt of love I owe." I pray God, they may be 
brought at the feet of Christ, and be men of usefulness 
and piety. The church has got a little started, and 
some of them get hold on the arm of the Lord. And 
I am of the opinion there will be more moral power 
here in the church, than was at Potsdam, and when they 
once get fully marshalled, the work of the Lord will move 
in earnest. I find many of the impenitent are seriously 
enquiring about the way to Zion. Oh, may I have wis- 
dom to lead them to the Lamb of God. For which my 
dear wife, do pray. Observe the concert regularly, 
between seven and nine in the evening, for the descent of 
the Spirit of the living God. I wish you would have a 
season of prayer as often as you can in the family. Try 
to do good, all that is in your power, and to make the 
family holy and devoted. This evening, the church came 
out confessing their sins and promising a new life in the 
service of God, and there seemed to be a good degree of 
the Spirit of the Lord. Sinners are enquiring, and some 
from the most respectable parts' of the community. O, 
for the faith that a minister of Jesus ought to have. The 
wicked are doing all the)* can to hinder the work of God. 
The Universalist minister advised his squad not to attend 
at all. For he said he "must acknowledge that some 
had been what they call converted," and therefore, their 



108 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

safe way was to stay away entirely. But they are diso- 
bedient, and some of them do attend, and may God have 
mercy on them, and show them their sins and transgres- 
sions You may be surprised to hear Bro. B. from G. is 
here, to .get me to hold a meeting in his church. What 
will not the good Lord do, if we will only trust in him. 
Brother Pettibone has been to-day, to preach the 
funeral sermon of a young woman who attended the 
meeting at Potsdam one day and refused to have Mrs. 
F. request prayers for her, saying she had no great 
anxiety about herself. She went out to bring in some 
cloth from the line in her usual health, and dropped 
instantly dead. She was to have been married in a few 
weeks. What a warning to all ! But I must bring my 
letter to a close and lay me down to rest. How soon 
before I, with my Brother Taylor, must lay down not to 
rise again until the morning of the resurrection. It may 
be to-night. May my work be done, and well done, so 
that I may leave the world with joy. Remember me, 
especially to the children, and kiss them for me. 
Yours affectionately, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Canton, July, 1841. 

To my Dear Daughters A. and E. 

You may get the maps of the State of New York, 
(your atlas is in the bottom of the box that had my 
papers in,) and your ma will point out to you all the 
different places there is around Canton. The court 
house, the jail, academy, the Methodist, Presbyterian and 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 109 

Episcopal churches, and the Universalis! meeting house. 

I wish Emma would go to the front door and point to 

the East, West, North, South, so as to learn all about it. 

I want you to read much and not play all the time. I 

think you had best to get up in the morning before the 

sun rises, and see how sweet every thing looks, and how 

the birds sing. Pa wants you should get up early, not 

to lay until the cows are almost all milked. And then 

pray to your Heavenly Father that He would let you 

awake in the morning of the resurrection with delight 

and joy. And I want you to read your Bibles through, 

and tell pa all about what you read. I want that my 

dear children should love the Saviour, and pray with your 

dear mother ever}- day and learn your Sabbath School 

lessons and be very good children. It is a very solemn 

thing to die, and I want that my children should love 

and serve the Lord, so they may be prepared for that 

certain hour. If you go to the grave yard, you will 

there see the graves of your mother's grand-father and 

mother, and your aunt Nancy. You never saw them 

when they were living, but if you want to see them, you 

must be good children, and do as the Savior commands 

you. You must be very kind to your dear mother and 

to your grand-pa and grand-ma, uncles and aunts. You 

may ask your ma to give you a pen and a writing book, 

and learn you to write so that you can write to me when 

I am far away. May the Lord bless you until we see 

each other. Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WICKES. 

Canton, August 6th, 1841. 
Dear Brother Cross: 

You perceive by this that I am yet in Canton, as you 



110 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

know it was the intention to close last Sabbath. I 
preached to the converts, when about one hundred and 
twenty took their seats together. At the close of which 
the church took a vote to sustain the meeting until I 
went to Waddington. So I could do nothing less than 
to go forward, and the oaks began to bend. And we 
went on until Wednesday evening, when they voted to 
continue and sustain the meeting until next Sabbath. 
And Christians begin to work now, there have been one 
hundred and fifty forward for prayers at a time. But 
what way God does take to forward his glorious cause. 
The Lord laid his hand on Miram Johnson, and he began 
to be anxious about his soul indeed, and as we hope, 
became a Christian. But he is dead, and while I am 
writing, the whole community are on the way to the 
house to bury him. He left many warnings to the people, 
his funeral sermon is to be preached this morning at 
half-past ten o'clock. May God make both the living 
and the dead to speak to-day. This is the second funeral 
we have had in this house this week. There have been 
several heads of families hopefully converted this week, 
and the meeting is more interesting now than any time 
before. I have wanted you here very much. But the 
Lord has ordered otherwise. Do pray for us, the meet- 
ing will close on the Sabbath. And I shall, God willing, 
be at Waddington on Tuesday of next week, the ioth 
inst. Now, if you can come here on Monday, and go 
down with me on Tuesday, I shall like it very much. Tell 
your people to pray for Waddington. The wicked seem 
to be tied up in a measure, and the ranks of Universalists 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. Ill 

are broken in upon. Oh, let us be humble, and the vic- 
tory shall turn on Zion's side. 

In haste, your brother in the Gospel of Christ, 

L. A. WICKES. 



During a short vacation he wrote thus to his own 
friends, a record of some of his late experiences : 

Stow's Square, Sept. nth, 1841, 
Dear Parents, Brothers, Sisters, &c.: 

You perceive by this, that I am now at our friends in 
Lowville. I returned on Tuesday of this week, from St. 
Lawrence County, to spend only a few days and then 
return. I must plead guilty of not writing before, yet I 
have found it almost impossible to do it, for I have been 
in meeting every day from half-past nine in the morning, 
with but short intermissions until ten and eleven o'clock 
in the evening, besides persons calling for private conver- 
sation, so that I have often found it encroaching on my 
private devotions. Yet I do not forget you, though I 
do not write. The last I wrote you from Potsdam by 
my esteemed friend S. Raymond, Esq., since which I 
have spent about all the time in St. Lawrence County, 
holding protracted meetings. I returned from Potsdam 
about the time that Sister A. left for home. I did feel 
that God had work for me at another place than Ant- 
werp, and accordingly told the people they must look for 
another minister. They felt very loth to have me leave 
them, and they would do nothing towards getting another 
until I sent away all my goods, and even then, it was 
hard to undertake it. But I felt that God called, and 



112 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

I must obey, and thus, after getting my family all com- 
fortably situated at S. S., started for Canton. This vil- 
lage is the Shire Town of the county, situated on the 
Grass River, about twenty miles from Ogdensburgh. It 
has Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopal churches, and 
a Universalist and Baptist meeting house, academy, etc. 
The water privileges here are quite extensive. On the 
whole, it may be yet quite a pleasant village. The 
court and jail have a tendency to make the place grow 
and become populated. About a mile from the village 
is situated the county alms house, where there are miser- 
able victims enough. This town was settled several 
years ago with New England Universalists, and they 
have kept the sway and awed down the professed fol- 
lowers of Christ, so that they supposed all was safe, 
locked up in universal apathy and danger. When it was 
known that a meeting was appointed, the Universalist 
preacher warned his congregation not to attend the meet- 
ing lest they should be converted, " for it is with sorrow," 
said he, "that I must acknowledge that some of those 
who we have been accustomed to call our people, have, 
by attending such meetings, been what they call ' con- 
verted.'" But this had a tendency to draw out the people. 
They then came out with a pamphlet to warn the people 
against evils of partialism, drawing a parallel with the 
temperance ox. But this only served to draw out the 
people more, to see how the ox would push with his 
horns, and so they got caught in their snares. Christians 
spent much time in prayer, and soon it was evident their 
labors were not in vain in the Lord. Many began to 
inquire what shall I do to be saved? The Spirit of the 
Lord did search out the hidden things, or works of dark- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 113 

ness, and the sturdy oaks began to fall. The meeting 
lasted about four weeks and a half, and there were about 
two hundred and fifty who gave evidence of being the 
children of God. And many among them who had been 
very bold in sin before and had stood up for the defence 
of error, and some who had opposed their friends in 
attending the meeting, were themselves, made to bow at 
the foot of the cross. So that at the close of the meet- 
ing it was put to vote that the meeting be adjourned 
until I could go to Waddington and hold a meeting 
according to previous engagement, and then to be 
resumed again. Thus the Lord has shown His own 
power, and to His name be all the glory and the praise. 
How small is man before his Maker? Well would it be 
for him if he would only look at it and see how much we 
are indebted to Him. And then to serve Him as He 
should be served. The day after I closed at Canton, I 
commenced a meeting at Waddington. This village is 
situated on the St. Lawrence River, twenty miles below 
Ogdensburgh, has a population of over a thousand. It 
has a most beautiful location, with extensive water 
power. There is a large island containing seven hundred 
and eighty acres which lies some thirty or fifty rods 
from the main land. This island belongs to the United 
States. There is a crossing on this branch of the river, 
and below on butments stand a row of mills, etc., and 
the dam there is a canal or ditch, from which extended 
for more than half a mile, and from this, water is taken 
to supply several machines, and other shops, that may 
be carried by water power. In these are employed a large 
number of persons, who have never thought much upon 
the means of grace, or about their souls. The only 



114 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

public edifice is St. Paul's Church. The leading charac- 
ters of that church are men almost dead with intemper- 
ance; they are real drunkards, and I was credibly in- 
formed that one-half of the male population were in the 
habit of getting intoxicated, and there are several cases 
of delirium tremens now, in that small village. The 
religion of the place has been in a great measure under 
the controlling influence of High Episcopacy, which is 
infinitely worse than no religion at all. There were, 
however, two or three of the female members of the 
church who came into the meeting and took quite an 
interest in it. There were a very few of Methodists, and 
they were perhaps not as bad, but nearly so. Their 
class leader right in the midst of the meeting went with 
wicked men to the bar and drank his gin. The Congre- 
gational was very little better. The whole church was 
composed of twelve members, five males and seven females 
Of the males, one was a gambling, dishonest, Sabbath- 
breaking, licentious man. Another was away nearly all 
the time, and when at home, did nothing to advance 
the cause. One did not maintain family worship. 
Another was very much engaged in parties, etc. The 
other had the form of godliness. Of the females, one 
was gone away, one was sick, one crazy poor woman has 
great trials, is sensible of her derangement, talks about 
it quite rational to. all appearance, may the Lord be gra- 
cious unto her; another came forward and confessed that 
for years she was very sensible she was a hypocrite, one 
out of the three others was waiting for the consolation 
of Israel, the other two had never attended a prayer 
meeting for fear they should be called upon to pray. 
There was a minister of the Scotch Presbyterian Church 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 115 

which meets about three miles from the village, he re- 
sides in the village. As I called on him, he brought out 
his decanter of wine and brandy ! Here you have the 
moral character, or power of that village and community, 
it is impossible to conceive of the desolations. There 
was no preaching of any kind, and had not been for a 
long time, except occasional Methodist preaching, and 
scarcely any attended on that. I obtained the use of the 
Episcopal Church to hold the meeting in, and entered 
the " Sanctum Sanctorum." The Lord blessed, I preached 
for about four weeks, and at the close, I had the pleasure 
of seeing about eighty hopeful converts, who professed 
to have given themselves to the Lord. Among them 
are the most wealthy and the most respectable part of 
the village. On the Sabbath, thirty united with the 
Congregational Society. I had but little help from any 
quarter except from above, without that, all other help 
would be useless and vain. Truly, how good the Lord 
is to those who will trust in Him, and serve Him with 
all the heart. Yet, I often feel my heart is far from 
God, and but little of the spirit of Jesus is found in my 
soul, yet I often feel to say, " O, for grace to love Thee 
more." Never have I felt the responsibility resting upon 
me as I have during the past season, while constantly 
engaged leading souls to Christ. But I need it still 
more than ever. Do pray for me, that I may be con- 
formed to the image of. my Savior God. I am now 
expecting to return on Monday or Tuesday to Canton, 
to resume that meeting again. How long I shall be 
absent from my family I cannot say. May the Lord 
prolong life and grant every needed blessing. The 
children are healthy and have grown much. My great- 



116 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

est anxiety is to see them praying children, walking in 
the fear of God. All other adornments I consider as 
useless, besides this in comparison, to be prepared 
for usefulness to glorify God, and enjoy Him 
forever. 

But I must bring my letter to a close. I should like 
to hear from you all, and often as possible. I will 
endeavor to write oftener. Love to all, Pray much 
for me. As ever, your affectionate son, 

L. A. WlCKES. 

P. S. I saw in a paper from Albany, a Mr. Wickes 
while lecturing' on temperance, was pelted with rotten 
eggs. I should like to know whether it was father that 
had that high honor conferred upon him, and what he 
did in the midst of the salute ; what a rotten heart the 
devil has got. At any rate, his fruit in that instance, 
was quite emblematic of his high and moral ivorth. 



Canton, August 21, 1841. 

Mr. Wickes : 

I had just folded my paper to write a line to you, 
when Brothers Wood and Cross called, and gave me the 
cheering information of the good work of the Lord at 
W r addington. I had learned something of it by your 
very welcome letter, but more by them. 

I pray God to renovate Waddington, and " create all 
things new there." 

Our meetings here, and in all the neighborhoods about 
us, are very well attended, and the spirit of inquiry has 
gone forth throughout the town. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 117 

We held a prayer-meeting of the church yesterday, 
all day, commencing at half-past ten A. M. and closing a 
little past four P. M., with but half an hour's intermission. 
I think the spirit of prayer in the church now is more 
abundant than when you left here. The young converts 
as yet appear well and pray much. Mr. Baldwin and 
Baxter and Chamberlin appear well. Baldwin is a great 
help already in our religious meetings. 

We design to resume the meeting again, according to 
our adjournment. We see, if possible, more cause for 
this than when we closed the meeting. Many persons 
are now disarmed of their prejudices, ready to converse 
on religion, and say if the meeting is resumed, they will 
attend it. I have no doubt but that many Universalists 
will attend the next meeting. I am of the honest opinion 
that another meeting of two or three weeks will accom- 
plish more than has been done. All the church say, 
"resume the meeting," and so say many men of the 
world. The Universalists rave and foam. God has 
laid His hand upon them, and they feel it. 

The bearer of this is ivaiting, or I would write more. 
I now mean to go to Waddington on Monday next, and 
stay one night, but must return home on Tuesday 
evening. 

Mrs. P. sends love. 

Your Brother, 

R. Pettibone. 



Canton, Sept. i, 1-841. 
Dear Brother Wickes : 

I received yours of the 31st, and I rejoice to hear of 
the good work. I advise you to encourage the young 



118 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

converts, and care for their future interest. If the church 
agrees to it, I would receive them into the fold before 
leaving them — all that are willing, and give good evidence 
■of a saving change. 

There is no abatement of interest here in religious 
concerns ; at least, there is none on the subject of another 
meeting. I should like, myself, to have it begin a little 
sooner than the time you mention, but perhaps it is soon 
enough. The farming community will all be through 
with their harvests by that time, and in the meanwhile 
we will be doing all that we can. If you will return to 
Canton on Monday, and preach here on Monday evening, 
I will find you a conveyance over to De Kalb, and then 
by sending my own team, or by paying your passage in 
the stage. If you can do this, we should be much 
pleased, and I think it would do good. Should you 
conclude to come, please to send word by the bearer, Bro. 
C, and I will, on the Sabbath, give out an appointment 
for you on next Monday evening. I hope and pray that 
God will still continue to bless us here in Canton, and 
that He will go on with His own work until all St. 
Lawrence County is redeemed. 

Yours affectionately, 

R. Pettibone, 
The Pastor of the church in Canton. 



Canton, Sept. 15, 1841. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife; 

When I left you, on Monday, I did intend to reach 

Last meeting at Philadelphia the same evening, but was 

Canton. detained an hour at Deer River in getting 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 119 

my wagon mended. I staid at Br. Jackson's, in Cham- 
pion. Had quite an interesting time in conversation and 
prayer. I started before sunrise; called at Br. Shat- 
tuck's; his wife feeble. Their meeting-house will soon be 
completed; it is thirty by fifty; will make a good house 
when finished. I arrived at Antwerp, and here I attended 
their church conference. But few attended, and they 
were quite disheartened. Br. R. said the dirty house was 
a testimony against them. Br. B. said their house was 
not half as dirty as their hearts were, and if they would 
only get new hearts, they would soon have a clean house, 
.and so I thought. The church could not speak to me 
without weeping, and wanted to know when I would 
come back again. I gave no encouragement, if ever, 
unless it was the will of Heaven. I found immorality, 
like a tide, was rolling in upon the place. May the Lord 
lift up a standard, for u how soon the gold becomes dim, 
and the most fine gold is changed." After conversing 
with the friends, I went on and made several calls. 
Found Br. B. had made up his mind to leave Gouverneur : 
it was uncertain whether they would have a meeting. 
At Richville, the Baptist church had taken a vote to 
request Elder Clark to leave, for they could not stand the 
expense of attending the meeting, and paid him two 
dollars, and he left ! ! " O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem," etc. I 
reached this place just before evening. I preached this 
eve from 2 Sam., 5:24, "When thou nearest the sound of 
a going in the top of the mulberry trees," etc. Quite a 
goodly congregation was out, and the Spirit of God 
was evidently in the midst of us, and Sister Pettibone 
felt a good deal for souls. 

Sept. 16, half-past ten in the evening. — At the 



120 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

prayer-meeting in the morning, there were very few to 
attend — only about twenty, though there was a good 
degree of feeling with those who had come, tho' I 
was disappointed in not seeing more there. In the after- 
noon there was something of a number out to meeting. I 
preached from Eph. 6:15, " Put on the whole armor of 
God," etc.; and this eve, Matt., 12:30. And there was 
very good attention paid to the subject. O, may it be 
the beginning of better times for this place. Waggoner 
has gone to New York. I pray God to affect their 
hearts while he is gone, and reach him while he is there. 
I know God is able to conquer the stoutest heart, and 
reach him. To-day one young man has been turned 
away from home because he would attend on this meet- 
ing. It is the son of Dr. Noble, the inn-keeper, on the 
hill towards Potsdam. If the father does not yield to 
Christ, he will, in all probability, disinherit his son. The 
young man is twenty-three years of age, and a most 
faithful and industrious young man. How true is the 
language of the $avior, ." A man's foes shall be they of his 
own household." That man cannot rest day or night. 
He says, " It is old Wickes and the Devil, and when I 
was away off in Lowville I was before his mind." Poor 
man ! He ought to know that it is God's spirit that is 
pressing on his heart, and that his warfare is an unequal 
one. I do feel that the Lord will take care of that 
young man, and he shall have a hundred-fold more in this 
world, and in the world to come life everlasting. To have 
God for our friend is all that we can ask, and it is more 
than we deserve; yet we are His children, and He will 
regard His own followers, and protect those who will 
trust Him. " I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 121 

be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 
Br. Pettibone has taken the young man into his house, 
and he will be a father to him. May the Lord let His 
blessing attend him. 

17th, half-past eleven o'clock, evening. — This morning 
an anonymous letter, through the post-office, advising me to 
leave the town soon as possible, or I should be lynched or 
mobbed. O, how weak are the efforts of man against 
his God ! Truly, God is more powerful than the arms of 
the wicked and the devices of the ungodly. The 
language of the Apostle is my trust : " If the Lord be for 
us, who can be against us ?" To-day the meeting in the 
morning was pretty well attended, and some feeling 
among Christians. But few impenitent present. In the 
afternoon, preached to rather a thin house. The men 
stay at home, to keep the women at home. This 
evening, a large congregation, and very attentive. The 
Spirit of the Lord seemed to move upon the hearts of 
many. O, that the Lord will make bare His arm, and 
save this people from their sins. Brother Pettibone is 
confined to his house to-day on account of sickness ; may 
it please the Lord to raise him up to bodily and spiritual 
health. I am sleepy and must close for to-night. Mon- 
day morning, Sept. 20th. Since I closed the other night, 
I have not had time to write a line at all. On Saturday 
the house was somewhat more filled than on the day 
previous, and some more feeling. The church took hold in 
prayer, and I do hope some have given their hearts to 
God. Brother Pettibone was taken sick on Friday, and 
he has not been able to be out since, and I have been 
almost alone in the labors, as far as to ministerial help, 
yet the Lord has sustained. On the Sabbath we had 
8 



122 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

an overflowing congregation, and of course, a greater 
responsibility resting upon me. The Methodist and 
Baptist ministers were present, and took part in the 
exercises, and there was a universal expression of cove- 
nanting to take hold of the work and doing all they 
could, and it seemed to be a full and hearty covenant 
of the people, and I hope that our Heavenly Father will 
see it is His people's sincere consecration. Yesterday, 
there were people present from Canton, Potsdam, Nor- 
folk, Massena, Waddington, Ogdensburgh, DeKalb, Her- 
mon, Russel and Lisbon, and this being court week, we 
shall have representatives from all parts of county. Last 
evening there were some fifty or sixty rose for prayers, 
and after meeting, one of the first merchants tarried, and 
vowed to serve God, and opened his mouth in prayer, 
and also a young man from the academy, who was a 
backslider. I hope that institution may share more and 
more in the blessing of God, as the meeting advances in 
its time and interest. Do pray much for it, God has 
heard prayer in behalf of it. At the time of the death 
of Myron Johnson, the Principal elect of the academy, 
I prayed that God would grant that the trustees (the 
most of whom are Universalists,) might be inclined to 
obtain a teacher who would pray with those pupils, and 
the present preceptor is a talented young man, a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, of Middleburg, Vt. I do 
hope it will be the means of God visiting it with 
His Spirit. There are about forty young gentlemen in 
the academy, and the female department, I cannot say 
much about, only the instructress is an Episcopalian. 
This morning's mail brought me a letter from Rev. Mr. 
Barret, of Weston, Vt., wishing to get me to go and 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 123 

hold a meeting there, and to labor a few months in that 
State, among the Green Mountains. I think now that 
it is not my duty to go into another State, or to give 
him any encouragement of my coming at the present. 
And when I go into another State, I want my dear family 
with me, it is bad enough to be in another county from 
them. But be still my heart, I must not begin to talk 
thus, lest I begin to complain, and thus grieve my Savior. 
I find Satan is faithful in his temptations and trials on 
the mind, and they must not be pampered with at all. 
The wicked are raging like a mad bull in the net here, 
but the Lord, I hope, will tame them. 

Monday, Sept. 27th. My dear wife, I do suppose by 
this time you will think I have forgotten you almost, and 
you are justifiable in thinking so, for I feel condemned in 
not finishing this before. But I have not had time to 
write at all, since last Monday. Brother Pettibone's 
health is so poor since he got better, that I have all the 
labor mostly to do, and I do not get to rest until about 
twelve o'clock at night. During the last week we have 
had all -we could do till eleven o'clock at night in the 
church, and there was a real cry-out among the impeni- 
tent, and they could not leave the house until they gave 
up all to Christ, and fell at His feet. The meeting has 
not been in progress quite two weeks, and so far, it has 
been attended by the divine power, with a great deal 
more pungent feeling than the other, and there have been 
more conversions than there were at the same time in the 
previous meeting, but not as many as I did anticipate, 
and neither have the churches come up to the help of the 
Lord, nor attended as punctually and as generally as they 
did before. But you can conceive of nothing like the 



124 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

combination and alliance which the wicked have formed 
at this place. And the degree of rage which they seem 
to feel towards this meeting. Yet, nothing like violence 
has been offered at all, though it has been threatened. 
The Lord has a great hook for the jaws of the leviathan, 
and He can hold them in His hand. Oh, how I want to 
get them into the fold of my blessed Savior and Re- 
deemer, where they may be made useful to build up His 
cause. I cannot say how many have turned to the Lord. 
God has taken some out of the families of the most 
strong and violent opposers in this place. What is puny 
little man, before the living God. But I will close and 
send this sheet without filling. I have hit upon Wed- 
nesday, the 6th of October, to go to Morristown and 
commence the meeting there. I shall aim to have it a 
short meeting, and get home before the ist of Novem- 
ber. I want you to write soon. I have more to say, 
but have not time. Say to all, love Jesus and serve 
Him. Pray much for me. Mrs. P. sends love to you. 
Give my love to all, tell them to pray much for me and 
for this place. 

I am as ever, your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



My Dear Little Children: 

I want you to be obedient, and kind to your dear 
mamma, and to your grandpa and grandma, and so to 
live and act, that they all will love you and esteem you. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 125 

Pa wants you to see what improvement you can make 
in working, reading and being good. There are a good 
many little girls who do pray here, and they love to pray, 
and why should not my little daughters too. Be care- 
ful not to have any unkind feelings towards each other, 
and if you have any, do not say a word, but get alone 
and pray our Heavenly Father to forgive you, and keep 
you from doing wrong. I must stop, people are coming 
to meeting. 

Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WlCKES. 

P. S. — I have not time to correct blunders, please 
overlook them, for there are many. 

Canton, 1841. 
Mr. Wickes — 

Dear Sir: 

Anony- I take this opportunity to inform you that the 

written to citizens of Canton have heard your preaching 
Mr. W. i on cr enough, for you have divided every chord 

while at . to to / , r J 

Canton, insunder that binds man and wife together, and 
parents and children ; I need not tell you that, Joe Nobles 
has forbid his favorite from coming to his house on the 
account of you. This very son he had willed homestead 
farm to. But since you came back, the will has been altered, 
and he is cut off from home and property by your means. 
This is but one case out of fifty that I could mention 



126 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

had I time, but serfice it say you can have this week 
to close your meeting. And I warn you as a friend if you 
stay any longer you will be delt with according to lynch 
law. Thirty of the best men in this town is this minite 
ready to put it into effect. I, therefore, as a friend, advise 
you to leave this place, for just so sure as you preach 
in this town next week, just so sure you will find 
trouble. I know this to be a fact, because I know 
there is metings every night to that efect, and if one 
excitement will take efect another will, I must close 
from a friend and well wisher. 

Bye-and-bye you will hear my name, for I am not 
ashamed to own it before God and man. 




CHAPTER IX. 



REVIVAL MEETING AT MORRISTOWN. 
BIRTHDAY LETTER OF 1841. 




MORRISTOWN, Oct. 7th, 1 841. 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 



OU see I have finally reached this place. The meet- 
ing commenced on Wednesday evening, and but a 
small number out indeed, and it being an old school 
church, I found they were on the lookout for breakers and 
heresies, yet they seemed to move away from the house feel- 
ing that it was not so bad after all. It is a most deso- 
late place as to morals. There are but two family altars 
in the village, a population of forty families, and one of 
those is Rev. Mr. W., the other is a Mr. P., a ferryman, 
who cannot attend meeting very frequently. There are, 
however, some sixty members in the church, and some 
fifteen or twenty females that reside in the village. I think 
from what I can judge, that good may be expected from 
the meeting. The other churches of the old school send 
in delegates to see how things move here, and spy out 

127 



128 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

the land. I pray God they may see on what a barren 
soil they live, while God is pouring out His spirit on 
other churches, they are famishing for the bread of life, 
yet it may be, God has good in store for them. Let us 
pray for them. There have been one or two hopeful con- 
versions, the first that was ever hopefully converted in the 
meeting-house, which has been built some three or four 
years. I pray God, it may not be the last. I find a 
young lady here that was converted at Antwerp, also M. 
M., the author of the book, "A New Order of Mission- 
aries." I closed meeting at Canton, on Sabbath, the 3d 
of October, or rather, not until Monday morning, though 
we dismissed the congregation at about ten at night, 
yet sinners were calling for mercy, so that we did not dis- 
perse until after midnight, and there were some eight or 
ten we hope, gave themselves to the Savior, after the reg- 
ular meeting closed. The whole number of conversions 
during the meeting, was something near sixty. The 
meeting lasted about two weeks and a half, and it was 
only by the power of Israel's God that anything was 
done, and to His name be all the glory, the praise and 
power. It is the hardest battle that I have had to fight, 
and the least help that I have had of human kind. 
When I came to this place, I went round by Wadding- 
ton and preached there Monday evening, Tuesday P. M. 
and evening. Had a meeting for prayer and conversa- 
tion in the morning, and in the mean time had church 
meeting, took six more into the church, * baptized one 
child, and there were some fourteen or sixteen souls hope- 

* Speaking after the manner of men. — As practical, he acknowledged 
the great truth that to be genuinely converted, is to become a member of 
the General Assembly, the church of the first born. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 129 

fully converted to God. May the Lord keep them by 
His almighty power. Also organized a society, appointed 
trustees. They have got a subscription of some thir- 
teen hundred dollars for building a meeting house, and 
the converts appear very well. They are the most active 
of all the places where I have been. They have no min- 
ister, and so have to work or die. I have not heard from 
home since I left, but try to leave all in the hand of God. 
Trust He will protect and bless us. Many friends send 
love to you. I received a letter from Brother Whitford's 
people at Watertown, requesting me to come and see 
them as soon as possible, as their son and youngest 
daughter were lying at the point of death, and were ex- 
pecting every day would be the last. How peculiar are 
the dealings of God with man. Let us be prepared for 
every exigency, and ready for all the trials of life. Aure- 
lia and Emma, be good children, love all, and be kind to 
each other. Respects to all in haste. 

As ever, your husband, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



Morristown, Oct. nth, 1841. 



Dear Sister E.: 



The sister You will perceive that I am on the banks 

was teaching 

ats. h. of the St. Lawrence, and the same waters which 
you see at Sackett's Harbor, soon float down here too. 
The village is on the river, and the steamers Oneida and 
Telegraph, that touch at the harbor, call at the wharf 
here; they arrive from twelve to three in the afternoon, 



130 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

and if you can leave your school to come here, I will, God 
willing, carry you home. The meeting commenced last 
week, Wednesday evening. The religion was in a most 
deplorable condition among all. The church was very 
low, and still is, yet there are some who feel, and some that 
are willing to labor for the upbuilding of the cause of Christ. 
Yet they cannot come and plead for sinners with that ear- 
nestness, that I think Christians should, nor with that 
faith which they should exercise. Yet, this afternoon, 
we hope some eight or ten individuals have become hope- 
ful heirs of immortal life. To God's name be all the 
glory, and the praise, and the power. The people are 
fast assembling for evening meeting. This house was 
never filled until yesterday, though it is a small one, and 
it was filled by His spirit too. We are in hopes to see 
great things here. " But let not him that putteth on the 
harness, boast himself as he that putteth it off." 12th. 
Last evening, the spirit of God was evidently visible in 
the congregation, a deep solemnity seemed to rest on the 
minds of the people. May the Lord send His spirit 
upon them, and bring them to bow at His feet. The 
meeting in Canton was a good one; I have preached 
there about eight weeks, and there were some three 
hundred hopeful conversions, and the work is still pro- 
gressing, and souls are weekly coming to the Savior. But 
opposition to the cause of Christ was most powerful and 
strong. But the Lord has girdled the tree of infidelity, 
and it must die. May the Lord hasten it. At Wad- 
dington the meeting was glorious, and is an honor to the 
blessed Savior, who has so triumphantly worked. God 
is doing great things for this county. Hundreds are 
bowing to the scepter of Immanuel. Let us, dear sister, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 131 

live more for Jesus, and nearer in prayer to God. The 
meeting will probably hold next week, or a part of the 
week. Pray for this place. 

Your affectionate brother, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



MORRISTOWN, Oct.", 19th, 1 841. 

Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

I received yours, of the date unwritten, on the borders 
of mother's. The Lord is working here. There have 
been somewhere between seventy and one hundred that 
have expressed hope since the meeting commenced. 
They have never seen such a time here before, and do not 
know how to act now, sometimes they are all carried 
away with their extacy, and then all down in doubt, 
and hardly know where to look for help, or what to think, 
while others seem to feel they will look up to God at all 
times. There have been up to this date, some eight or 
ten family altars erected in the village, more praying 
families than was ever known here before. May the 
Lord increase the number still more and more, until 
every house shall be a praying house, and every heart a 
meet temple for the Lord to dwell in. I shall not be 
able to leave here before next Monday, (the 25th,) if then,. 
and when I do leave, I wish to go directly to L. as soon 
as I can, with the Lord's help. I have been in hopes 
that I could get through what the Lord has for me to 
do here this week, and reach home before the Sabbath. 
But as the prospects now appear, I shall not be able to 
close before the Sabbath, and may be, not then. I feel 



132 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

that the Lord will do all things right, and let us trust in 
His hand for help, and He will be our support. The 
prayers of many Christian friends in this place are offered 
for us, and morning and evening, we are remembered 
here by the good family with whom I board. Be prayer- 
ful, write to me soon. 

In haste, yours affectionately, 

L. A. WICKES. 



MORRISTOWN, Oct. 25th, 1 841. 

Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

You will perceive by this, that I am still on the 
borders of the United States, and shall probably be 
here a few days longer, it may be until next Sabbath. 
I feel anxious to be at home with my family. My first 
is to serve God in the salvation of souls, and the second, 
is my dear family. The work of the Lord is progressing 
here gloriously. There is scarce a day, but there are 
some new family altars erected here, and souls are turn- 
ing to the Lord ; 29th, I had only time to write the 
above, and was then called off so that I could not finish 
it before the stage went out, and it goes only every 
other day, and I have had one thing after another to 
give me no time. I do not get to rest until about twelve 
o'clock every night. I am willing to wear out, but I do 
feel solicitous about my family. Since I commenced 
this, the work has moved forward with unabating inter- 
est, yea, with an increasing interest. Opposition seems 
to be falling before the wheels of God's chariot. And 
the work among the heads of families is most like the 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 133 

work of Norfolk, of anything I have seen this season. 
Several openly avowed Universalists have been made to 
bow at the foot of the cross. The congregation is small, 
not much more than half as large as at either of the 
other places, though we have a meeting-house full, that 
is between three and four hundred, and of this number, 
one-third, if not more, is often forward for prayers, and 
the most have expressed hope in the Savior. To God, 
be all the glory, the praise and the power. Some who 
have been swearing mad, have been cut down in a mom- 
ent. Nearly one-half of all the families of the village 
have altars erected in them, and some are rejoicing in hope 
in other houses. May the Lord still progress in the 
work of salvation. It seems as though the work has 
but just begun, and the whole region is on the move, and 
I have no doubt, if they will keep humble that they may 
see such a work here as has not been in the county for 
a long time. But yet, it seems that they hardly know 
what to do, and where to go, so long have they lived in 
sin, and backsliding, and now they have to be instructed 
in the first great principles of serving God with all the 
heart. Let us be grateful for what God has done, and 
show that we need not labor in vain, if we labor in the 
work of the Lord. I feel often that I am too ungrate- 
ful for all His favors, which He is showing us, and for 
what He is using me for, shall the saw boast itself against 
him that shaketh it ? foolish indeed, can that be, and 
what am I, any more. I feel that I am indebted under 
God to the prayers of His people for all the blessings 
that have attended the truth that has been spoken. O, 
may I ever prove myself worthy of the prayers of the 
faithful and humble followers of the meek and lowly Je- 



134 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

sus. I am very anxious to do what the will of the Lord 
is if I know my heart and then I can secure the blessing 
■of God upon my whole family, and also my children's 
children, for I know that God will keep those 
who trust in him. "And he that honoreth God, God 
shall honor." We never can be safer than when 
under the hand of our Savior's direction, He never 
will leave us, and in our greatest trials He will uphold us, 
and do us all the good we need. I will still wrestle and 
pray for the descent of the blessing of God upon my dear 
family, 

It is now meeting time and must I close. O, when 
will Christians, and ministers, too, get their eyes open, so 
as to see where they are, and learn to work as they 
should, for it behoves them to be workers with Christ, 
in the salvation of this dying world. Pray much for me. 
I shall be home as soon as is consistent to leave here, if 
the Lord will. Love to all. 

In haste, yours affectionately, 

L. A. WICKES. 



MORRISTOWN, NOV. 2, 1 84 1 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

I preached to the converts on Sabbath afternoon, and 
there were something over one hundred and twenty-five 
who took their seats together and gave their names to 
unite with the different churches, which is a much larger 
number according to the number of those who attended, 
than any other meeting in the county; and according to 
the help which I have had, i. e., man's help, Morristown 
never saw such a day as this before. A large number 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 135 

are heads of families, and many of the first men of the 
town have been sharers in the work, and at this moment 
there are some twelve or fifteen family altars in the village, 
when there were only two at the commencement of the 
meeting, and there are a large number in the town. There 
are more old gentlemen brought into the fold of Jesus 
here in proportion than at any other place. I expected 
to close Sabbath afternoon, and as soon as I got through 
the exercise a motion was made that they would lay aside 
all their temporal affairs that were possible and attend 
the meeting, so long as the providence of God seem to 
indicate that it shall continue, if I would only stay longer, 
and a very large part of the congregation rose and voted 
for it, and a large number of impenitent among them, and 
there have been some hard cases come to the Lord Jeuss 
since the Sabbath, and how long I shall stay I cannot 
say. But I do feel so that I cannot rest, yet I do feel 
that I want to do what is right and for the honor and 
glory of God, and then I know He will take care of us. I 
must, however, seek His favor and His pleasure and leave 
events in His hands. I have heard that the work is still 
going on in Canton, and souls are every day bowing be- 
fore the Lord. May it continue to ride on gloriously 
over all. O, what a blessed and glorious privilege it is 
for us to be permitted to be laborers in so glorious and 
holy a cause. I am aware I do not value the work as I 
should do, and the privilege as I should of seeing souls 
bow at the foot of the cross and made heirs of immortal 
glory. Truly, how unworthy I am and sinful, and how 
vile a being I am; every day I see more and more cause 
for me to humble myself at the foot of the cross, and to 
cry unclean. 



136 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Nov. 4th. The stage went out before I had time to 
mail this, and so I have opened to say the work goes on 
Morristown, most gloriously yet, though it has been 
Nov. 2, 1841. the three days of election yet the spirit of 
God has been working among the inhabitants of the town 
and many more have bowed to Christ since I wrote 
above, and I have been all along making my calculation 
to close, at the farthest, to-day, yet there will be an un- 
certainty about that. For though the people have been 
at meeting for near a month, they are unwilling to stop 
yet. But when I do see the least indication that it would 
be the will of God that I should close, I shall not tarry 
long here. Every day there are new altars erected in the 
name of the Lord, and I must say that the work is the 
most genuine in its appearance of any that I have seen. 
Confessing their guilt and their opposition to the work 
and to God, and asking forgiveness of all. I do want to 
see the churches understanding their duty to God and to 
one another more, so they will be able to lead each other 
in the work of the Lord. They are often most unskillful. 
But still I have some hopes they will learn more and still 
more of the arts of war in this great battle field. Yester- 
day I had an invitation to go and hold a meeting in the 
Methodist church within about five miles of Ogdensburg, 
but I could give them no encouragement at all, for I have 
agreed to be at Parrishville on the 17th inst. unless they 
alter it, and the church in DeKalb are anxious I should 
get there as soon as possible, and the people in Madrid 
are rather expecting me to come there as soon as possible, 
yet this last place I have some doubt about. Wherever 
the Lord sends me I am ready to go, for he will go before 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 137 

me, and I shall find Him a help in all times of need. Do 
pray much for me and for this place. 

Yours affectionately. 

L. A. WlCKES. 



To My Little Daughters : 

I want you to become good children. Be very kind 
to your dear mother and to all. Learn as fast as possible. 
I wish you were here with me to see this river. The St. 
Lawrence in some places is three miles wide, probably 
the largest river in the world, though not as wide. The 
prospect is beautiful. But I must close. Give my love 
to all. I hope to see you soon. 

Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



MORRISTOWN, Nov. 2, 1841. 

Dear Brother Cross : 

To Mr Cross I have but a moment to say a word. God is 
to come to a t work in this place, and I am almost 
Morristown. worn out, yet salvation is flowing like a 
deluge, and the work is the most like the work of 
Norfolk of any that I have seen this season according 
to numbers of the population. Last Sabbath I 
preached to the converts, and there were 125 took their 
seats together, and the feeling was such that there was a 
voluntary vote that they would lay aside every temporal 
work that was possible, and attend the meeting as long 
as the providence of God should point out duty. Now, 
my brother, I want your help, come here to-morrow even- 
9 



138 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

ing, with the calculation to stay over the Sabbath if pos- 
sible. The meeting will not hold longer than that prob- 
ably. You shall not be the loser in anything. Your 
church surely cannot say no. My Brother, do come, I 
pray you. Start as soon as you get this. 

In haste your Brother in Christ, 
L. A. WICKES. 

P. S. — Call at Brother Taylor's at DeKalb as you 
come and see if he has got my pocket Bible, and bring it 
with you, when you come. Enquire for Rev. Mr. Wil- 
liams who lives opposite the Episcopal church. 

L. A. W. 



Stows Square, Nov. nth, 1841. 
Dear and Affectionate Parents : 

I sent you a letter by Mr. M. from Morristown on the 
eve of my departure, from that place home. I arrived 
at this place on Tuesday, the 9th inst., being absent 
nearly two months. I found all in comfortable health. 
I found C. down stairs with a babe in her arms two 
weeks old, (a little daughter), both doing finely. Thus 
you see the Lord has smiled upon us again and 
showed us his favors. Truly, God evinces His care for 
those who put their trust in Him, and will sustain those 
who will obey and trust in Him, and may we ever 
show ourselves worthy, through Jesus, of the favors 
God does bestow upon us. Why God has dealt with 
us as He has for the last year we do not pretend to 
say, or even desire that the future should be open to 
us : it is enough for us to know, that our present course 



LEWIS-ALFRED WICKES. 139 

is pleasing to God, and secures His blessing. You 
seem rather in your letter to think that it would be 
better for us to settle in some place if we could find 
any. There are some seven or eight churches where I 
could find a permanent place, but God has ordered 
different for us. - I have now preached in two different 
churches for nine years, and all the time I have felt 
that I wanted to g into the more laborious life 

of the evangelist, tho ! do think that the experience 
of the pastors life has -, i one of the greatest bless- 
ings to me, to pre;: for this work, and I do 
most sincerely beliew which 1 have now 
been called into, is one that God has placed me in, 
and shall I play Jonah and run away from him? I 
am afraid I never should come off as well as Jonah 
did. While I love my friends and my family, and 
should be pleased to have them with me as well as any 
one could, but I love the cause of Christ more, and the 
providence of God has ordered it that we should be sep- 
arated for a short season. I have ever felt this prevailing 
principle in my bosom since my hopeful conversion to 
God. "Lord direct me into the path of usefulness." 
Does my dear mother recollect the conversation which 
she had with me in Elbow Street while I was living in 
sin? It was this. I was sitting in the front room, and 
on a Sabbath towards evening she came and sat down 
on a little stool and leaned upon my knee and began 
to talk with me about my soul, and among other things, 
she said, "My dear son if you become a Christian, you 
may be useful in the world." This one idea had more in- 
fluence on my mind than anything that had been said to 
me about being a Christian, to turn my mind to be favor- 



140 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

able towards the Christian life, and after my conversion, 
it was my constant reflection, and while a student, while 
my fellows were expressing themselves of a desire to be 
great and learned, my mind and my greatest wish was to 
be useful in leading souls to Christ, and since I have been 
in the ministry, I have endeavored to keep this before 
me. Though I find I have been of but little service in 
the church during my life; yea, comparatively nothing 
have I done for Him who has done so much for me, I 
feel that I only wish to honor and glorify God in all my 
course, and God will be our help and support. 

How long I shall continue to occupy the post that I 
am now in, I cannot say. I may another year, or part 
of the year At any rate I wish to obey the Lord in 
everything, and I do earnestly ask you to pray that God 
will direct me. Since I wrote to you before, I have been 
to Canton and spent three weeks besides the other four 
weeks which I spent there in the summer, and there were 
some 60 or 70 conversions, and the work still moves 
forward and every week more or less are hopefully con- 
verted to the Lord. I left there for Morristown and went 
around by Waddington, about 20 miles out of my way, 
and spent one day there and held meeting one day with 
them and there were some 16 hopefully converted to God. 
And in the evening there were some six or eight avowed con- 
nection with the church who had been hopefully converted 
during the protacted meeting there, and the society was or- 
ganized and some fourteen or fifteen hundred dollars raised 
toward building a church edifice. The Lord has done 
great things for that place and to His name be all the 
glory and the power, for He, alone, is worthy to be prais- 
ed. The ride from Waddington to Morristown is on the 



LEWIS ALFRED WTCKES. 141 

banks of the St. Lawrence river, and it is most delightful 
to see the wonder of the Lord in uniting so many 
drops of water and with such force as in some places 
it sweeps forth with majesty and power. 

The banks of the river above the water are not high ; 
in some places they are quite bold. The river is inter- 
spersed with one thousand islands Some are covered 
with forests while others are nearly barren. The appear- 
ance of the opposite side of the river is very delightful. 
The crops look very fine. The full grain had gained a 
beautiful appearance from the hand of Him who nourishes 
every spear. The foliage had just begun to fall from the 
trees and change their hue, and warned me of the approach 
of my dissolving nature. The distance from Waddington 
to Morristown is thirty miles, and passes through the 
village of Ogdensburgh. On the opposite side of the 
river about once in four or five miles there is a church 
erected of some kind, and occasionally along there will be 
a round wind mill for grinding grain. It was in one of 
these that the self-styled patriots took refuge in the late 
broils and from which they were carried as prisoners to 
Fort Henry; it stands a little below Prescott, which 
village is opposite Ogdensburgh. Prescott has quite a 
large fort and considerable of a village. Ogdensburgh is 
the largest village in the county and is a business place. 
They have two steamboats a day arrive, and depots for 
water privileges are very great. The Indian River emp- 
ties into the Oswegatchie, and this breaks over something 
of a fall of ioo or 150 rods above the mouth where it 
empties into the St. Lawrence and from the dam above 
.the falls there is a very swift race way, and on this are 
situated a large number of mills and machine shops. At 



142 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

present the moral f this place is rather lonely and 

sad. Tl of the four evangelical 

denominations and all equally asleep. I pray God they 
may be aroused from tthy. When I arrived at M — 

I fell , were in the village forty 

families, and only two where the family altar had been 
erected in the fear of the Lord, and it was given to sin of 
almost every name, yet the Lord had a blessing in store 
for that people. It was t soon that the Lord was 

movirtg among the p md soon many sinners began 

to enquire what they should do to be saved, and enquiry 
came from many: " What do these things mean?" The 
church belongs to the old school assembly though a large 
part of the church are bitterly opposed to it. Yet they 
would watch very closely to see what would be said and 
done and look out for heresy. They soon found they 
had enough to do to look after their own hearts, and to 
watch their own evil ways and doings, and began to feel 
they must work for souls and do all they could to 
save sinners. And theimpenitent were now trembling. 
At the commencement there was only one professor of 
religion in the choir, and that a female. The choir con- 
sisted of about thirty, and at the close every person, with 
the exception of one, professed hope in the dear Redeemer 
and in the village there were rising of twenty family 
altars erected, and in the town something like fifty. In 
most cases both parents were brought in the work and 
hopefully made anew in Christ Jesus. Some who had 
been the bitterest opposers to the work of the Lord had 
been made to bow at the foot of the cross, and the whole 
work seemed to be characterized by an humble confession 
of their great sins and numerous faults, and there seemed 



■LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 143 

to be a child-like spirit in the whole and many seemed to 
have the greatest desire to get low before God and abase 
themselves in the deepest dust. The congregation was 
small to what have attended in other places. Their house 
would seat only about three hundred, though we crowded 
more than five hundred into it. There were something 
like one hundred and seventy or more who professed to 
give themselves to the Savior. Truly, the Lord shall be 
praised for all His wonders which He hath wrought in 
that place. The meeting lasted thirty-two days (a little 
over a month, and the interest continued to increase 
more and more until the last amen was pronounced, and 
it seemed only to give the work a new impulse. The 
whole region is truly on the move and may it be thus 
and more so, until every soul is brought to bow at the 
feet of the Savior. Why is it that we have so little de- 
pendence on God, or in the use of means to accomplish 
the end ? O ! may God forgive the unbelief, and awaken 
His people to their privilege. 

Hope you will write soon, and give our love to all. 
" Your affectionate son, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



CHAPTER X. 



MEETING AT PARRISHVILLE. 




Parrishville, Nov. 27th, 1841. 
Dear and Affectionate Wife : 



FTER leaving you on Monday the 22d, I reached 
Mr. Jackson's in C. soon after dark, and tarried with 
them all night. I found their children quite serious, 
and inclined to listen to the things that make for their ever- 
lasting peace. May the Lord have mercy on them. I took 
breakfast and fed my horse at the Bend, and then had a 
most muddy ride to A. Had an interesting interview 
with a number of our friends. I started for Richville 
where I arrived between seven and eight in the evening. 
On my way I called on Brother Stevens. The Lord is 
at F. neighborhood. Several have been hopefully con- 
verted, and there seemed to be a moving among the "dry 
bones." 

When I arrived at Potsdam my horse and I were both 
tired out, and Mr. Parker, the teacher in the academy, 
came and brought me up here in his buggy. Kind man 
may the Lord reward him. I did not arrive here until 
after the meeting closed on Wednesday evening and 
found myself very tired and weary. There was no 
meeting appointed on Thursday morning. In the P. M. 

144 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 145 

I found some twenty or thirty persons there, and some 
little freedom in prayer, some little confession of sin, but 
there is much to be done. In the evening I preached 
from "Search me, oh God," etc. There were quite a 
goodly number out, three hundred persons or more. 
They were mostly attentive, though some whispering and 
running out. The house is a comfortable stone building, 
with a gallery for the singers over the porch. The building 
will comfortably seat from three to five hundred persons. 
The pulpit is at the further end of the house, is easy to speak 
in. There is a small bell on the church, a basement, not fin- 
ished. Village is not large. It is situated on the St. Regis 
river. Parrish has a large distillery here, and manufactures a 
great deal of the poison. Between three and four thous- 
and inhabitants in town and man}* hard hearts. This 
morning the prayer meeting was very thinly attended, 
and resembled the commencement of the meeting in 
Massena. I find there is much to be done here, and but 
a few to do it. Last evening there was no singing at 
all in the church. I am one hundred miles away from 
you on the field of battle. The people are not prepared 
for the meeting. I hope you will pray much for me and 
for this place. I must close and go to church. 

Yours in haste, 

L. A. WICKES. 
A Birthday letter. 



ParriSHVILLE, Lawrence Co., Dec. 8, 1841 



Being the commencement of the 34th year of the life 
of Lewis A. Wickes, eldest son of Jonas and Sarah B. 



14(5 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Wickes, and 66th year of the American Independence, 
also the tenth year of my gospel ministry, and eighth 
year of my married life,and seventh of being a father. 



Dear and most Affectionate Parents: 

You will perceive that this is dated away from my 
home and that is the reason why I cannot write you as 
fully as I have been accustomed to, on the occasion of the 
same in other years, for I am in the midst of a protract- 
ed meeting and cannot have the day to myself as I have 
devoted for the last fourteen years of my life. I do, 
however, suppose that you will expect from me a few 
lines, and you shall have them by the blessing of the 
Lord, and one question I do wish here to ask. Have 
you another child who gives you their yearly history? or 
even a synopsis of it ? This, however, has been 
one of peculiar providence with me and mine. A year 
ago now, my health was such that I had almost con- 
cluded to give up preaching entirely, and follow some 
other occupation of life. My health was good with the 
exception of my talking machinery which I was told 
must not be used, and for about two of the first months 
of the past year I did not labor much, though I preached 
three or four times every week. I felt I could not 
drag out a life so useless and so barren, and feeling the pain 
from my lungs remove, I engaged to hold a meeting of 
days with the church in Riehville. Before the time 
came I was attacked with a severe cough. Being able 
to ride I went on the day appointed to tell them I was 
not able, but yet to do what I could to advance the 



LEWIS ALFE ,:ES. 1L7 

cause of the T I it forward that 

I should go to 1) mmenced the m g 

amidst a and shortness of breath, and 

would preach and cough and cough and preach, and dur- 
ing the first sermon I suppose near one-quarter of the 
time was spent in coughing and raising. But my cough 
soon began to give way and I to feel more encouraged 
I preached three times every day for three weeks in suc- 
cession and my cough was all gone. In the mean time 
I made use of the lung tube and Dr. Jane's India Expec- 
torant, and from that time you have had something of a 
clue to my engagements and how I have spent my time. 
Suffice it to say that only by grace I am what I am, 
and it is the Lord that has been my help and my 
strength, and by His power I have done what I have. 
And yet I feel that much more might have been done. I 
have during the year preached about five hundred and 
twenty-five sermons, besides a large part of the other exer- 
cises connected with it. Also, I have held rising of two 
hundred and fifty prayer and inquiry meetings in which I 
have done more labor than to preach a sermon of com- 
mon length. In these I have witnessed the hopeful 
conversions of between fourteen and fifteen hundred 
A remarkable num- souls to the Savior. Of these between 

of e, 'ft?w"to four a » d five hundred were heads of 
Christ. families, and quite a number were over 

seventy years of age. To the Lord be all the glory;. 

to Him I will ascribe thanksgiving, and honor, and 

glory, and all that is within me. I will call upon to give 

to Him glory and praise for all His w r onderful acts to 

vile and sinful man ! Oh, how unworthy am I for all 

that He has done with me. Shall the saw boast himself 



148 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

over htm that shaketh it? Surely not. "He that hon- 
oreth Me him will I honor.' During the same time I 
have traveled rising of nine hundred miles besides the 
walking to and from meetings, and now I feel fully as well, 
if not better than I did last year when I commenced 
and have grown corpulent all the time. I have been 
confined to my room two days ! under the care of a phy- 
sician during the year. Truly, I can say, " Oh, to grace 
how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be." And 
what an account I must give at the last for the non-im- 
provement of the blessings God has conferred upon me. 
Oh, for a heart more devoted to the service of God and 
to advance the cause of the blessed Savior. During the 
year, too, I have left the people of my charge in Antwerp 
in opposition to their most earnest request. What the 
result may be I cannot say, but hope it may be for the 
good of souls. So far, I think I have done what is right 
and pleasing to God, in regard to that. This year I 
have also refused to accept an invitation from the church 
in N. to become their pastor and what the consequence 
may be, I do not know, but hope for the best, both to 
them and also to myself and family. This year I have 
organized a church; the first that I have ever organized 
and assisted to one other. This year I have assisted in 
organizing a Congregational society and the foundation 
for a meeting house to be built at W. I have 
broken up keeping house for the present. This year, too, 
I have become the father of the third child, a sweet little 
daughter. Thus we feel that heaven has smiled upon us 
and been our protector and support. If the Lord spares her 
life, I hope she may bean ornament in the cause of Christ, 
and that she may early be taught the knowledge of God. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. l-±9 

This year, too, I have by the blessing of God, arrived at 
that post when I can say I owe no man anything" but love, 
(i. e.) I have the means as soon as I can attend to it, 
for which I am thankful to my blessed Savior, for I have 
long been perplexed with debt, and when can I be thank- 
ful enough for all His kindness to me? Eternity itself 
will only be long enough. And as a family, we feel we 
have much to do to honor Him, and we want greater 
love to do it. Since I wrote you I have traveled one 
hundred miles on horseback to this place, and com- 
menced a meeting. There seems to be some good feeling 
and a great deal of bad. The church is in a most 
wretched condition. They have been by the ears for some 
eight or ten years, and, also an unholy feeling between dif- 
ferent denominations, and seems like bringing great rocks 
together and neither want to give way, and both must. It 
has been so far a heavy lift indeed, but many have turned 
to the Lord and the whole community have seemed to 
be more or less affected by the Spirit of God, and almost 
Christians. I pray God they may be inclined to turn to 
him and that, too, with all the heart. There have been 
several protracted meetings held here, and some good 
has been done. But the impenitent have become very 
hard, and there is a DeatJi Pit in the midst of the Vil- 
lage, (Distillery), and this poisons all that is lovely or 
may be useful. There is one tavern, three or four stores 
and groceries, and two school houses, two churches and 
some few shops of the various mechanics, etc., etc. 
There is rather a low state of morals and a most vile set 
of young people, though there is rather a better set 
among them. There is but little refinement among any, 
and yet they have souls to save or to lose, and they are 



150 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

just as much worth saving as anybody's, and I do pray 
the Lord they may be brought at the foot of the cross. 
In view of the dealings of God with me I feel that it 
becomes me to renew my consecration to the service of 
God, and to promote the cause of Christ on earth. I 
feel anxious to hear from you all to know how they 
are growing in the Divine life. I must close. I do hope 
when you have a nearness to the throne you will re- 
member me. Do pray much for me, that I may live at 
the foot of the cross. Remember me to all the dear 
brothers and sisters, and ever praying that 1 may be an 
ornament to your gray hairs, I subscribe myself to you, 

Your affectionate son, 

LEWIS A. WICKES. 




CHAPTER XI. 



REVIVAL IN DE KALB. 




De KALB, January 7, 1842. 
My Dear, Affectionate Wife: 



OU see by this that I have finally got to the region 
of rocks, and have commenced the meeting here. 
t* Things are very forbidding and very unpleasant as 
yet, and it is very doubtful how long the meeting may con- 
tinue. Should have been home this week had it not been 
judged best to continue this meeting, or rather, to commence 
it. The most of the members of this Presbyterian church 
that have attended the meeting at any onetime is SIX !! ! 
And since I have got here I have learned that not more 
than one third of them will be able to come to the meet- 
ing at all. They either are at such a distance they cannot 
come, or they are sick, or else superannuated, or have a 
disease about the heart, which is very prevalent in cold 
regions. I have given this day to decide the case whether 
or not they will go forward with all their might and 
power. I will let you know in a few days again if the 
prospects are more favorable. I knew not how long I 
should be at Parrishville, for the meeting held about two 

151 



152 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

weeks longer than I expected it would; but the Lord 
came off with a glorious victory. There were something 
like 130 to 150 hopeful conversions. To God be all the 
glory and the praise and the power, for He alone is 
worthy. The field of labor was one of the most forbid- 
ding of any that I was ever acquainted with. The 
churches were in a most miserable, wicked state, and it 
took a long time to kill all the corruption, and now it may 
come to life again. But may the Lord forbid, and cause 
His spirit to flow upon them yet. The meeting closed 
on the evening of the 2d day of January, 1842. On 
Monday I came to Potsdam and preached in the after- 
noon to a few who had assembled for the day of fasting 
and prayer for the world's conversion. I called at our 
friend's, Mr. Raymond's, and there is a great vacancy in 
that dear family by death. It is our friend Mrs. Raymond 
herself. She died on the last Monday of December. 
She was taken on Friday; on Saturday she called for 
medical aid, and on Monday eve she fell asleep in Jesus 
DeKalb, 1842. an d was buried on the last Wednesday of 
the year. It was a great loss to all, and especially to the 
family. Mr. Raymond feels it very sensibly. She rests 
from her labors. How God has protected us whilst 
others have gone to inherit the promises. May we so 
spend our lives as to advance the cause of our blessed 
Redeemer. In the evening I came to Canton and there 
preached to a large congregation. Found things there 
quite interesting, and many souls in this place were 
inquiring what they should do to be saved. Found one 
individual trying to take shelter under the doctrine of 
universal salvation without confessing her sins. Oh, 
what a delusion ! But the Lord, we trust, has saved her 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 153 

from so fatal a fall. What debtors to grace we are! 
Debtors daily. Oh, how great His loving smiles have 
been over us ! Truly, by "grace are we saved through 
faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God." I 
do really want to see my family. The people live so 
scattered over this town that if it was consistent I would 
have them with me wherever I go. But the will of the 
Lord be done; and may we ever seek His honor. Kiss 
all the little ones for me. Write soon as possible and let 
me know how all are. 

In haste, your husband, 
L. A. WlCKES. 

HERMON, February I, 1842. 
My Afpectioxate and Dear Wife : 

You have no doubt looked for me ere this, as I expected 
to be at home during the month of January to pay a visit 
to our friends at Watertown. I did expect to close the 
meeting in DeKalb a week ago last Sabbath, but the state 
of things was such that I found it would be difficult to close 
and it was continued another week and closed on the last 
Sabbath in January. There were something like seventy 
or eighty hopeful conversions to God, and to His name 
be all the glory and the power. In some respects it was 
as forbidding as I ever had before me. The state of the 
church; the distance from the meeting-house (I boarded 
a mile), the prejudices against each other, together with 
the unprepared state of the Christian community, were 
barriers that were great to be overcome. But the Lord 
has kindly overlooked and has been the faithful God to 
10 



154 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

foigive their transgressions when they humbled them- 
selves. There were quite a large number of those who 
Hermon, expressed hope in this town (Hermon), 
Feb, 1, 1842. and the state of feeling in this place was 
such that we thought it best to spend a few days in this 
place — some five or six days — and I do not know but all 
is right. I felt it, perhaps, duty to come here a few days. 
February 2d. When I arrived here, there was a severe 
rain, and supposed the house would be rather thinly 
filled, but it was literally crammed. They have nothing 
but a large school house to meet in, and it cannot be had 
only in the evening. The Lord opened a door of hope 
by bringing an excommunicated member from the Pres- 
byterian church back, and he opened his house for day 
meetings and the whole community turned out and made 
seats for the accommodation of some 1 50 persons, and 
the house is thronged. This is the second day of the 
meeting and there were six or seven hopeful conversions 
and backsliders reclaimed, and there seems to be a sound 
of an abundance of rain, and some conversions of men 
seventy years old. I feel this whole region may be 
shaken, and hundreds may be brought at the foot of the 
cross. May the Lord grant it for his name's sake. Some 
three or four Universalists have been brought to bow at 
the foot of the cross, and it is shaking the whole region. 
There are only five family altars in the place. May the 
Lord have mercy on the people, and pour out His spirit 
upon them. My abode is with a Mrs. Green, a member 
of Brother Taylor's church in DeKalb. Her husband and 
hired girl have both been hopefully converted during the 
meeting here. She appears a good sister in Christ, and 
a woman of prayer.* 

* Since deceased. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 155 

I have now some half-a-dozen urgent requests to hold 
meetings and they each want me to come first, and what 
to do I hardly know ; which way I can scarcely say, but 
I do think duty calls me home before going to either 
place. Still I may be mistaken. I do desire to do what is 
right. How the Lord does bless us, and what debtors 
we are and shall always be to Him. Now, how does my 
little family do. I feel so great a desire to see them that 
I could forego almost any other privilege for their com- 
pany, except it may be the salvation of souls and the 
glory of God. 

I must close. I cannot tell when this will reach you, 
or when it will be mailed. Kiss the dear children for me. 
I wish you all to be like the whole family in heaven. 

Remember me to all. A short adieu. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



At Hermon, sick, Feb'y u, 1842. 

Hermon, Feb'y 11, 1842. 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

Being bolstered up in my sick bed at the kind and 
hospitable abode of Mr. O. Green, in the village of Her- 
mon, I drop you a line. I have not strength enough to 
write but a line. I had packed up my valise to start for 
home last Wednesday morning, but the morning came, 
and with it a sick morning. I had an engagement to 
preach a funeral sermon at DeKalb, but in a few hours I 



156 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

was under the doctor's care. My disease is "Bilious 
Pneumonia" with a very bilious state of the whole sys- 
tem. The doctor thinks that with care, I may be able 
to leave my bed and room in a week. I have the kindest 
of care from Mr. and Mrs. G. The people here are also 
very kind in doing all in their power to make me com- 
fortable; truly the Lord has prepared for me a home 
among strangers. How good and how kind is my 
Heavenly Father to one so unworthy. But I must be 
short as I am very much exhausted. I wish brother 
Lewis would take my wagon and start for this place, 
but not on the Sabbath, and if you are able, bring the 
babe and come with him; I should be glad to have 
you come. My horse is here and we can all be accom- 
modated on the return home. I leave this entirely with 
yourself. It maybe I shall not be able to return, but my 
hope is in the Lord. But, I must stop for I am so ex- 
hausted. My labors must be suspended, at least, for a 
season. Pray for me that I may do all the Lord's will 
in life or in death. Love to all. 

I am as ever your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Feb. 23d. 
Dear Parents: 

I have an opportunity this morning of sending a line 
to P. O., for I know you will feel anxious how Mr. WVs 
health is. He is very weak, yet, we think gradually 
gaining. Monday he sat up over two hours ; yesterday 
a little longer. Hope he will be able to have his clothes 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 157 

on soon. It is about a fortnight since he was able to 
be dressed. Begins to have a little appetite. The Lord 
is very kind to us ; He has surrounded us with His 
mercies, in sickness and in health, and among stran- 
gers. We have reason to bless His holy name. How 
soon we shall see you, Providence must determine. 

Yours affectionately. 

C. WICKES. 



Stows Square, March nth, 1842. 

My Dear and Affectionate Parents r 

Your letter of the 6th inst. to Capt. Wilcox came to 

After hi& sickness, hand yesterday, in which you express 

March 11, 1842, the desire that some of them will 

Stows Square. write tQ yQu Qyery , t[mQ they hear 

from Lewis. I thought perhaps it would not be entirely 
unwelcome if L. should answer it himself. Though I 
am so weak my penmanship is very poor, yet mother 
can decipher the almost hieroglyphics. You may be 
astoiished to see that I have got home with my dear 
family; but just as soon as I .was able to sit long enough 
to ride eight or ten miles I started and was about two 
and a half days coming home, a distance of sixty miles. 
and the last day I found it very muddy and slow trav- 
eling. My disease was inflammation of the lungs to- 
gether with a high degree of a bilious state of the whole 
system, produced by excessive labor in crowded houses 
where the atmosphere was very much confined, and tak- 



158 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

ing cold after leaving the house. I preached Tuesday 
evening and was expecting to preach a funeral sermon* 
and then start for home. But before Wednesday even- 
ing I was not able to sit up a single moment. My life 
was despaired of one day only, though dangerous for 
several days. But by the blessing of God I do feel much 
better and am better but extremely weak, as of course? 
I must expect to be. And now with all our little ones 
by the blessing of our Savior, we are permitted to be 
together in our room. I have some trials in my mind ; 
there are so many places that are now ripe for the harvest 
and begging for me to come and help, and so eager were 
they, that hearing that I had got able to sit up a little, 
they came wkh carriages to carry me off. If it was only 
for sitting in my room and counseling them what course 
to take, and many doors are open to me. O, for humility 
to meet them and strength to sustain me in the work. 
How long before I can resume the labors I cannot say, 
but if it is the Lord's will I hope it may be soon, yet I 
am reconciled to His providence, and wait for His lead- 
ings. I find it has been good for me to be afflicted. I 
have felt to review the past of my life; to examine the 
motives which have led me to the ministry, and the 
truths which I have presented to mankind. I find there 
is much wrong in my heart. How little of the spirit of 
Jesus have I possessed in comparison with what I ought 
to possess as a professed minister of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. Though I have tried to keep my heart some- 
where near right, yet I have found much to regret. 
Never have I viewed the immense responsibility of my 
station as I have during my short sickness. O, how 
few of the professed ministers of Christ feel the respon- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 159 

sibility of the station they hold. An ambassador of the 
Court of Heave n\ A minister in the stead of Jesus 
Christ ! That he speaks not himself but the order of the 
Great I Am. How little do many expect their words 
sha 1 ! have any lasting and permanent effect. May the 
Lord have mercy upon them. O, how awful to have 
garments spotted with the blood of souls, for not being 
the faithful ambassador of Jesus. O, may I not be 
found there, for His great name's sake. 

March 1 2th. I cannot write long at a time on account 
of weakness and headache, though I feel some better this 
morning, for which I will adore and thank my heavenly 
Father. How little is this world worth. How short a 
time we need it. Truly " man wants but little here 
below, nor wants that little long." \\ nile we consider 
heaven as being the place of the greatest delight, why 
should we not labor to be more like the heaven which we 
hope to be our final resting place? How strange it is 
that we tell what is our high expectation of final glory 
and then live as though this earth was to be our long 
home, or as if heaven was a place of sensual delight. I 
do desire to see more of Christ in my soul, and to have 
stronger confidence in His precious promises. For this 
I hope my dear parents will ever pray. 

13th. Sabbath afternoon. To-day is the first time 
I have been to the house of God in five weeks. I have 
attended church twice a day. It made my heart ache to 
have the word of God take so little effect on the hearts 
of the hearers, and a servant of Christ should not act as 
a gentleman of Christ, to sit in the parlor to be served 
and waited upon, but a laborer in the vineyard of our 
Lord. Oh, it is good to wear the yoke of the Savior, 



160 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. (Matt, 
ii: 29, 30.) Much of the world have just religion enough 
to make them miserable; they know they ought to live for 
God, and yet have not grace enough to be anything but a 
slave to themselves, to the devil and to the world. 
I hope my dear parents are ripening for 
that heaven where they hope their children shall meet 
them, in that glorious rest that remains for the people of 
God. Love to all. 

I am your son. 

L. A. WlCKES. 



S tow's Square, March 31, 1842. 

Dear Brother Cross: 

Extract By the good hand of the Lord I am still in the 

from land of the living. And what a debtor to grace 

Letter to | - . 

Rev. g. -1 am l° r a H His kindness and care over me, and yet 

Cross, how often do I forget the Lord I love ! O, this 

treacherous heart of mine ! How much it needs to be under 

the control of the Spirit ot God. But I find I have scarce 

any control at all over myself. Though raised from the 

verge of the grave, yet how soon I lose the image ! Why is 

it so soon that we forget how we stand on the verge of the 

tomb constantly? Why is it that we do not all the 

time do as the psalmist said he would: "Walk before the 

Lord in the land of the living"? How much of our lives 

would be changed if we kept the Lord always before us ! 

What lives of devotion would we live ! and how the 

ima^eof the Lord would constantly be seen in our place, 

and standing on our post. I do not know, my dear 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 161 

brother, as you have such a polluted heart to deal with, 
but it does seem to me that I must sometimes be con- 
quered by sin, the devil, and give up my hold on my 
Savior. And I verily think I should were it not for the 
thought which rushes into my mind that it is the Savior 
has hold of me, and in His blood there is perfect safety. 
But there is much to be done in the Saviors cause, and 
I do desire in some little measure to advance the cause. 
It has been a cross to me to think of what is needed to 
be done in the cause of the Lord and yet have my 
tongue tied up. But I broke away night before last and 
made a short temperance address, and felt no very great 
inconvenience from it. To God be all the glory ! Now, 
dear brother, there is no time to be idle. Death is 
crawling on very fast, and we have but a little time to 
do a great work, and souls are fast going to the chambers 
of death and how can we sleep or be idle ? O ! may we 
ever be found on our post as faithful watchmen who 
watch for souls, as those that must give an account. I 
have just received a letter from Huvelton, and they say 
they are all waiting for me to come, the Spirit of God 
evidently is moving among the people. My heart aches 
to get once more into the field and work. What I wish 
to say is this, my strength I do not think is sufficient to 
perform my accustomed labor. But if I should be able 
in the course of two or three weeks to go there will you 
go there with me and do all you can ? It does seem as 
though it was the time to strike for that place. I will 
G. Cross, also write to Brother P — and he will 
March 31, 1842. come also. How much I can do I can- 
not say, but I can try, and I will be the stool-pigeon to 
call them together and you spring the net. I do not 



162 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

think it would be prudent for me to venture alone in the 
conflict. 

Now, I wish you would write and let me know what 
you will do, and I will write you soon again. We are 
all enjoying a good degree of health, and bless God for 
it. Pray for me and mine. 

In haste, your Brother in Christ, 

L. A. WlCKES. 




OHAPTEE XII. 




Stows Square, April 8, 1842. 
My dear Parents: 



O U RS was received the day after it was mailed, andl 
From Stows was rejoiced to hear from home once 

Square 

to Albany, more. Since I wrote to you I have been 
gaining strength, so [that I have delivered a short 
temperance address, and last Sabbath I preached 
to the dear people of this place, and assisted in 
a communion season. My chief medicine has been 
the axe and the saw, and eat what I wanted. 
This course, by the blessing of our kind Heavenly Father, 
has done me good. I shall probably start soon for St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y., where by the blessing of the 
Lord I may spend the year, making short excursions 
home. The field is already white for the harvest, and 
the laborers are few. May the Lord of the harvest send 
forth laborers into His harvest. 

Remember me affectionately to all. All join in iove_ 
Pray for me. 

L. A. WICKES. 
163 



16i LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Ogdensburg, April 12, 1842. 

Dear Brother Cross; 

In the name of our Blessed Lord, whose we are, I do 
earnestly ask you to hasten here to this place. The peo- 
ple have agreed to do all that the Lord commands them, 
and now we want to see you here with the whole armor 
on, and, leave your family as the soldier leaves to go into 
war. You are aware of the great work before us, and 
now see what it is that God would have you to do. 

In haste. Pray for this place, and for your 

Brother in Christ, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Ogdensburg, May 20, 1842. 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

I have finally arrived here in the chief place of con- 
Letter from course, and where the cause of the Redeemer 
Ogdensburg. nas been almost looked out of counte- 
nance, and where many have sold themselves to 
work deeds of darkness, but where, too, the cause of 
the Savior has had some most strong and endearing 
friends. I arrived ' here last evening just before 
sundown and came unexpectedly to all. The news, 
however, was trumpeted, and a pretty large congregation 
assembled. I preached to them from Ps. 139: 23 — "Search 
me, O God," etc. There was quite good attention and 
nothing unfavorable as to appearance, but yet I do not 



LEWIS ALFRED VVICKES. 165 

feel exactly what is duty. The Baptist meeting held in 
one shape and another for eight weeks, and forty-one have 
been baptized by them as the fruits of the work, and 
some few more hopefully been brought into the fold of 
God. May the Lord increase their number and add to 
His cause. What can be done here I know not. I 
called last evening before preaching on Rev. Mr. S. He 
appeared quite gentlemanly and kind, but does not like 
the system of evangelist. As to the course which I take^ 
he had no objection, if I was a pastor, or only a stated 
minister, and had come to help a brother, and then all 
would be well. We cannot expect much help from that 
quarter. The Baptist church will, and their minister 
will co-operate some, and pretty heartily. But, my dear> 
it is with many misgivings that I do undertake this 
work, both as to body and to soul. I feel unprepared 
for the responsible work before me. O, that God may 
direct for His glory and for His honor. I came by the 
Bend on my way here, and did not stop until I got there. 
I called a short time at Philadelphia; their meeting 
house is on the advance. It will be quite comfortable 
and neat when it shall be finished. I arrived at A. about 
sunset, and was cheerfully received by all. Heard Brother 
W. preach in the morning; his text, Deut. 32: 9. In the 
afternoon at five o'clock, I stood once more in the place 
where my voice had so often been heard, where old asso- 
ciations were weighty. I found I had not so much as lost 
one jot of affection for them. The congregation 
is about as when we were there. I visited a 
few families. I had hard work to get away on 
Tuesday, in the evening, I preached at Richville; not 
a great many out. Brother Cross came on with me. 



166 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

May 20. Visited our friends at Hermon ; preached 
in the evening to quite a goodly number. We came to 
Brother Cleghorn's and Brother Cross left and took my 
horse back so as to have conveyance here next week; 
Brother Cross brought me down here. The people were 
very anxious to have me come, or rather, stop at Huvel- 
ton. I had some misgivings to know what duty is, but 
on the whole have got here, and may God direct, for His 
own glory, what shall be done. As to my health, I feel 
rather poorly this morning. I have taken some cold and 
feel very sleepy ; some pain in my head and ear. If I 
find I cannot endure the fatigue I shall stop. But the 
Lord's will be done. They are all afraid that there is no 
house sufficiently large, which will hold the people, and 
O ! what a responsibility, truly, rests on so vile a worm 
as I. May God be my strength, my portion and my 
guide. I feel the need of more prayer, and of being more 
broken-hearted and wearing the image of my Savior 
more. Do pray much for me. This afternoon we have 
a prayer-meeting; may the Lord be with us ! And what 
wilt thou have me to do, Oh Lord ? A minister at D — 
tells me that within nine months he has attended fifty- 
two funerals, among them three drunkards, and drunk at 
the time of their death. How the Lord does spare us ! 

Affectionately your husband, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



To My Daughter: 

To-day, if you are alive, is birthday of your sixth 
year, and I am seated in an upper room in the house of 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 



167 



May 20, 1842. Rev. I — S — , at O — , St Lawrence 
Little daugher County. I feel quite lonesone while I do 
Emma. think of you on t ^ s ^ ay . If it was the 

Lord's will, 0,how pleasant it would be to have the privilege 
of being with you to-day ! Your Pa has thought a good 
deal about you since he left home, and he has sometimes 
thought he should not see you again, but if it will please 
the Lord I hope we shall meet once more. I have 
thought how you are spending this day, and how long 
you have been thinking about having your birthday come 
and then what you was going to do. You are to-day 
six years old, just about this time of day (four o'clock), 
and when this gets to you, you will be in your seventh 
year, and you cannot grow any younger, and you are six 
years nearer the end of your life; six years less to live in 
this world ; six years less before you must go where there 
are no more prayers, no more asking for the Savior's 
smiles. And then, if time is so precious, and once gone 
cannot be called back, how you should love the Savior 
and spend your time as you will love to meet it at the 
end of the year. Perhaps you will never see the end of 
the seven years of life. Then you will want a friend that 
will go down into the grave with you. That friend is the 
Savior. Now you must begin to be a little woman. 
You may play some; you may read some; you may take 
care of your little sister some and you may work some, 
but in all that you do you must be kind. The other day 
when I was coming I saw two little girls about as large 
as A — and you, and they were walking to school hand 
in hand and they made a very pretty curtesy, and they 
made me think of my little daughters, and I thought it 
looked very pretty indeed, and while I have been writing 



168 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

I looked out of the window and saw two other little girls 
just about as large as you, too. They had a doll carry- 
ing in their hands between them and I thought it was 
another little girl (for it was about as large as little S — 
was when she was born), but they soon began to call 
each other " black niggers " and " you are ugly " and I 
thought how unkind and how unpleasant such little girls 
do look ! Do you think it was very pretty, and which 
of these two companies would you choose to look and act 
like? I saw little lambs playing and birds singing, and 
then I thought my dear little Emma will do as the birds 
rather than follow the example of the wicked children. 
Ogdensburg, I think more about you than I ever did 
May 20, 1842. before when I have left you. The Lord 
Birthday to little has raised you from a bed of sickness 

Emma. and d ^ my dear cM ^ loye R{m for a]1 

His kindness to you. He is worthy of your love. Be 
very kind to your sister and affectionately obedient to 
your ma. I want you should write to pa a letter and 
tell how you do. Love to all, pray and read the Bible, 
and be a good girl, is the prayer of, 

Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Mr. W — invariably kept a memorandum of text, 
time and a remark or incident connected, of which the fol- 
lowing specimens copied from his note book may prove 
a pleasant and profitable reminder, especially to those 
who once listened to him: 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 



163 



Ex. xix : 5-8 May 1, 


Josh, vi: 44. " 
John xv : 3. " 

Address. " 


1, 
1, 

8 


Ex. xix : 5-8. " 


15, 


And being ) ft 

made perfect, j 
Ex. xix : 5-8. 


15, 
17, 


Isa. lii: 9. 


18, 


Ps. cxxxix : 19. 


19, 


Gen. xviii : 32 " 


20, 


Deut. xxxii: 31. " 


21, 


Gen. xxviii: 19 1 
and I Sam. iii : } " 




22, 


13-14. 




Jud. v:23. 


22. 


Jno. vi : 4. " 


22. 


Acts, xvi: 30 ( t( 


23, 


and 24-25. S 


Amos vi : 1. " 


24, 


Neh. ii:17. 


24, 


2 Chron. vii: 14 " 


25, 


Isa. lii: 1. 


25, 


Rev. vi:17. 


26, 


Heb. xi:30. 


27, 


Job 35: 30. 


27, 


Eph. iv: 14. " 


28, 


I I 





TIME. PLACE. REMARKS. 

1842. Martinsburg, 

" Brick school-house in Lowville. 

" Stows Square. Maternal Association. 

" Antwerp. 



Richville. 
Hermon. 

Commencement of pro- 
Ogdensburg -i tracted meeting in the 
i Methodist house. 



f The house this evening 
was crowded to overflow- 
■{ ing. The Lord has helped 
I me to preach to-day. To 
(^ His name be all the glory. 



Some little feeling. A 

storm, and house not full. 

^ The church confession 

( and a large number out. 

Things more encouraging. 



\ Some more feeling, and 
( all day 



170 



LIFE AND LETTERS OF 



TEXT. 


TIME. 


PLACE. 


Eph. ii : 8. 


May 29, 1842. 


Ogdensburg. 


Isa. xxviii : 16. 


" 29, " 

" 29, " 


« 


" vi: 2. 


" 29, " 


" 


" xlv: 22. 


" 30, " 


" 


Gen. xxxii : 26. 


» 31, " 


" 


Matt, vi: 20. 


" 31, " 


" 


Lukexii:20. 


June 2, " 


" 


Ps. xlix : 8- 


" 2, " 


" 


Ex. vi: 12. 


" 3, " 


" 


Isa. ix : 2. 


" 3, " 


" 


Matt, v : 20. 


" 3, " 


" 


Luke xiv : 23. 


" 4, " 


44 


" xxiv: 26. 


" 5, " 


44 


-Neh. vi : 3. 


" 5, " 


44 


Ps. cxix : 9. 


" 5, " 


n 


Ps. lxvi : 13-14. 


" 6, " 


44 


Ps. xciv : 14. 


" 8, " 


" 


Ps. cxix : 8-9. 


" 8, " 


44 


Isa. lxii : 2. 


« 7> «. 


ii 


Prov. viii: 36. 


" 7, " 


it 


Jud. vii: 26. 


" 9, " 


44 


Rom. vi : 23. 


" 9, " 


44 


Rev. ii: 21. 


" 10, " 


44 


Isa.lv: 3- 


" 11, " 


44 


Job xvii : 15. 


" 11, " 


44 


John i : 29. 


" 12, " 


it 


Ex. xix : 5-8. 


" 12, ° 


44 


Matt, xxiii : 37. 


" 12, ' 


(i 


Gen. iv : 9. 


" 13, - 


44 


Heb. xi : 35. 


,. 14 .« 


44 



REMARKS. 



\ A most miserable time of 
( preaching. God forgive ! 



This in afternoon. 

To-day the people re- 
newed their covenant. 

This was by request, 
and notice to young people 



God's truth took hold, etc. 
Talked in the afternoon. 



A covenant for the 
people, nearly unanimous. 
Mr. Smart here 



To-day the 
more favorable. 
Lord save ! 



aspects 
The 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 



171 



TEXT. TIME. PLACE. 

Josh, xxiv : 15. June 15, 1842. Ogdensburg. 
Luke xxiii : 39, \ „ -.g „ „ 



43. ) 






John xii : 43. 


' 16, " 


" 


James v: 16. 


' 17, " 


" 


My son, give, etc. ' 


' 17, " 


" 


Rom. i: 16. 


' 18, " 


" 


Talked. 


' 18, " 


" 


Heb. v : 9. 


' 19, " 


" 


Josh, xxiv : 22. 
Luke xiv : 22. ' 


19, " 
' 19, " 


\ A new vote for the 
' continuation of meeting. 


Deut. xxxii : 29. ' 


' 20, " 


" 


Matt, xii : 30. 


' 21, " 


tt 


Eccl. xi : 19. 


' 21, " 


To-day the young. 


Matt, xxi : 28. 


' 22, " 


•■ 


Isa. lx : 8. 


« 22, " 


" 


Heb. iv:ll. 


• 23, " 


" 


Rom. x: 21. 


' 23, " 


" 


Isa. v : 7. 


' 24, '« 


'„ ( Eve. Bro. Layer — half- 
i a-doz. 


Rev. iii : 20. 


. 24, " 


" 


Jer. xiii: 21. 


' 25, '•• 


,, ^ The girl that could not 
( rest, etc. 


John iii : 3. ' 


' 26, " 


" 


Rev. ii:ll. 


' 26, " 


130 names and 


John vii : 37. 


26, " 


Twelve o'clock closed. 



Ogdensburg, June ist, 1842. 

My Dear, Affectionate Love : 

I suppose by this time you are having a thousand 
conjectures as to the reason why I have not written, yet, 
you know enough about my engagements to know that 



172 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

I have not been at play, and that I have as much as I 
can do to attend to my work. Since I wrote you the 
Lord has been with us ; there have been quite a number 
of hopeful conversions of the aged and the young, 
and many of those who have been very careless and 
hard, yet the great sink of sin is not by any means de- 
stroyed. There are many who are almost convinced 
they are wrong, yet are pursuing the wrong course. Still 
we work in hope. There have been somewhere between 
seventy and one hundred who profess to have given 
themselves to the service of God. To God be all the 
glory and the praise, for He, alone, is worthy to be praised. 
I think that when I wrote you before, that I mentioned 
about Rev. Mr. S. not being willing to come in. He has 
not stepped into the house since I have been here, and 
the wicked are saying they will not go to meeting if Mr. 
S. won't. So they are screening themselves behind him, 
O, fearful responsibility ! Yet they have been compelled 
to say the Lord is in our midst, and have as a church 
agreed to spend the hour of six in the morning to pray for 
the success of the meeting. How much their prayers 
may avail in accordance with their works, I know not, 
but I am afraid it is dead faith, or, at least, faith without 
works. And yet I hope it may be like Paddy shooting 
the squirrel — they get the wrong end of the gun. O, 
how cruel they are to the souls of the impenitent ; and 
they will see it when it may be too late. Some of the 
churches come in and take hold. There have been some 
five or six conversions of those among the Episcopal 
church. O, what a winding sheet of death that is ; may 
the Lord have mercy on them. The meeting they had 
here last winter left things in a most unpleasant state, so 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 173 

that the whole community is very much prejudiced 
against these efforts. I intended to close up the meeing 
yesterday, but through the urgent entreaties of all, I have 
concluded to stay a few days longer. How long, I am 
not able to say, but there is very much to be done 
here, and the Lord's power is only sufficient for the great 
work to be done. It is hard to bring them up to the 
work, yet I am in hopes there will yet be a pretty gen- 
eral display of His power here. I intended to have 
closed the meeting here yesterday, but the people volun- 
tarily said they would do all that the Lord commanded 
them, and they would do everything which was consistent 
for them to do to establish the work of God, and so I have 
concluded to stay. As I before said, if I close on the 
next Sabbath, I think I shall take a little respite and at- 
tend the Association before commencing at Huvelton. 
Love to all. 

L. A. WICKES. 




CHAPTER XII L 



MEETINGS AT HUVELTON AND DePUYSTER. 




HUVELTON, July 2, 1 842. 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 



arrived here about half past six o'clock and 
went directly to the church and preached to 
about sixty or seventy persons. A female took 
lead of singing. The Lord helped me preach, 
though I was very tired and had the headache. 
God's spirit is here and the impenitent are enquiring 
about their soul's salvation. May God shower down 
His salvation as the rain is descending from the clouds 
upon the roof above my head, for this place needs it 
very much and for a long time. I am now seated in an 
upper room ; may it be a room where my Savior may 
meet with me. This morning I have to preach a funeral 
sermon for a young womanwhom they hope has gone 
to the bosom of love. How long before I may have 
mine preached by others I know not. O, may I be pre- 
pared for that hour. Let us love God in sincerity and 

174 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 175 

in truth. I must now go to the prayer meeting. I shall 
have, I expect, but little ministerial help here, though I 
am in hopes to see some of my dear brethren here, but 
above all, I do want to see my Savior here and follow 
close to Him. Monday morning, 4th of July. 
Funeral sermon of Saturday had a blessed effect on 
many. My text, "Set your affections on things above, 
not on things on the earth," Col. 3: 2. To God be all 
the praise, honor, and the glory. God's word will have 
the desired effect when it is spoken and heard with faith. 
Saturday evening the Lord was in our midst and some 
felt, who had ever been hardened and obstinate. Yes- 
terday there was a large gathering from all places, and 
much of the spirit of Heaven seemed to be in the con- 
gregation This morning the Lord has been with us in 
our family devotion, and one soul, a young woman of 
about fifteen years, we hope has given her heart up to 
God and made herself a willing servant of the Lord 
through the agency of the Holy Spirit. May it be the 
commencement of a better state of things, and of salva- 
tion flowing to this entire community. To-day I have 
exercises, as on other days so as to help people at home, 
and to exert a happy and blessed influence over them. 
Afternoon : — We had a very interesting meeting this 
morning ; some seven or eight rose for prayers — some 
fathers and mothers, and some say they will serve the 
Lord. May the Lord seal their hearts. This afternoon 
I had a good congregation and gave the national ser- 
mon, Jer. 18: 4-10. — "Blessed be the name of the Lord 
he was in our midst." Some impenitent were led to give 
vent to their feelings in sighs. Oh, that they may give 
their hearts to God and not their tears merely. Just as 



176 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

I left the church, I found a large party of young people 
from R. and D., come from Ogd., and called at the tavern 
and had a short talk with them. Oh, how important to 
be ready for every exigency where the Lord may call 
us. God's spirit will be our help if we will only trust 
Him. Several friends were out to-day from Ogdensburg. 
May God bless them in all their duty. 6th. Yesterday 
I could find no time to write a word scarcely. My 4th 
of July sermon was blessed of God, and many souls 
were brought to see, in some measure, their situation. 
The Lord did appear in His glory; several were brought 
to bow at the foot of the cross. One strong champion 
of Universalism was brought to acknowledge his error 
and bow at the feet of Immanuel; and one man who 
swore that his wife should not go to the meeting, but 
weed out the garden. She went into the garden, but the 
Lord got hold of him, and he called his wife and both 
started for the meeting. He was quite hard when I first 
commenced talking with him, but before he left the house 
he was on his feet asking for prayers, confessing and 
begging for mercy, and confessing to all, and gave up his 
heart to God, and some eight or ten others. To God 
be all the glory. And there have been pretty hearty 
confessions from some who have been long the professed 
friends of God, and parents begin to look at their chil- 
dren with a deep feeling of heart. They go about with 
sorrow depicted on their countenances. Universalism 
begins to tremble here and the strongholds of sin to 
totter. Oh, may it please the Lord to destroy all the 
influence of such vile and miserable stuff from the minds 
of this community. I feel that this state of things 
places me under great responsibility, and I feel that I am 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 177 

called upon to take the shoes from off the feet, for the 
ground on which I stand is holy ground, and yet, I am 
vile and sinful indeed, and need much of the spirit of the 
Lord under all circumstances. Evening: — It is meeting 
time this very moment and I suppose I should go, but I 
must write a few words before I go and mail this. To- 
day has been a most glorious day to many souls ; 
several cases of hopeful conversions. The Spirit of God 
is weighing on the hearts of all this community. There 
are many that seem to be much affected and they come 
from a distance. I have no help as yet of ministerial 
kind, except Bro. C. His body is here and his mind at 
home half of the time, yet he does get hold on the Lord's 
arm most gloriously and the Spirit of God does seem to 
be speaking great things for him and all. But I must 
close and hasten for the meeting. I board half a mile, 
or nearly, from the church. My health is pretty 
good. Kiss the children for me. Love to all the friends 
In haste. 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



HUVELTON, July 20, 1 842. 

My dear Wife : 

Yours was received yesterday morning and I was much 
rejoiced to hear from home, but it makes me feel some 
solicitude about my little family as to health, yet do feel 
that God will do all things well and for His own glory. 
I think the meeting here will close on Sabbath, if not 



178 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

before. The meeting is not attended now as it was the 
first week, though every day new cases of conversions 
are taking place, and the feeling is spreading over this 
whole region. Last Sabbath the congregation was very 
great ; hundreds were there. / had to make my pulpit 
in the windoiv of the church and preach to those out 
of the house and in it, and there was considerable feeling 
for the souls of men. May it increase more and still 
more. There have been hard, and openly wicked and vile 
persons who have been brought to bow at the foot of the 
cross. To His name be all the glory. Bro. L. intimated 
something about a visit to Albany. It will be very 
doubtful, although it would be very pleasing if the Lord 
will, but we must ask counsel of God, that we may walk 
before Him in that manner that will be pleasing to Him, 
and for His glory. I am anxious to do what will best 
promote the cause of our blessed Lord. The prospect 
is that I shall have enough to do as long as God will 
strengthen me, and as I shall have a heart to work. I 
have received a request from Copenhagen to hold a 
meeting in that place. As my engagements now are, I 
could not comply at present. I do ask counsel of God that 
I may do my whole duty according to His will. I must 
close as it is time to commence meeting. Pray much for this 
place, and for me. I have been much of the time alone 
as to ministerial help. In haste. 

Yours affectionately, 

L. A. WICKES. 

Closed at Huvelton, July 31st. Sabbath, administered 
Lord's supper, organized and received into membership 
sixty-two. Dismissed congregation at half past twelve 
o'clock. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 179 

DePuyster, August 13, 1842, 
Dear Children : 

As I have a moment to write, 1 will just tell you of 
our coming" here. We had a pleasant journey on the 
whole. When I got to Wilna we found that there had 
been a heavy hail storm the day before we started from 
home. Some of them were as large as butternuts and 
some as large as walnuts. They broke windows and 
broke down the corn and potatoes. There were about 
seventy lights broken out in the "checkered house." So 
we see how great and powerful is the army the Lord has 

August 11, got to teach men their dependence on 
a^meetinein Him, and if the Lord be for us who can 

DePuyster. be against us? We came to A; took: 
dinner with Miss F — . While here they had quite 
a heavy shower of rain, but we were in a bouse and 
thus, again, we were very kindly watched over by 
our heavenly Father. We started about five o'clock, 
tarried all night at Mr. Temple's, in G — . We found 
some mud a part of the way. There was a heavy shower 
of rain accompanied by much heavy lightning and thun- 
der, but did not reach us, so God did again protect us. 
O, how thankful we ought to be, and I trust we are in 
some measure. We spent about two hours at Major 
Sargent's and started for this place. The bell soon rang 
to let the people know I had come, and we went to the 
church. I preached from Luke, xvi : 2, middle clause. 
Quite a goodly number out. We board at Mr. B — s. 
They have a large family. Some of them are Christians. 
May they all be brought to the fold of the dear Redeemer. 



180 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

To-day, 15 th, prospects of the meeting appear encourag- 
ing. The class leader confessed he had not maintained 
family devotion for a long time, The eldest appears like 
a Christian ; is the chorister in this place. I think he 
will do much good in the meeting. The second has just 
come out on the Lord's side. The congregation yester- 
day could not near all get into the meeting-house, which 
is a very snug stone building, with a bell. The evening 
meetings are full and attentive, which makes it easy 
preaching. There was not a family altar in the place 
except the Methodist preacher, and he tried in vain to 
establish a weekly prayer meeting. Among this people, 
until the meeting in Huvelton, this whole vicinity was 
one unbroken moral desolation. But, thanks be to God, 
the wilderness begins to bud. It is refreshing to the 
Christian soul to be here now. May the Lord give com- 
plete success to the efforts now in progress. The people 
are in the midst of their harvest. It is more forward 
here than in L — county. Some are threshing new 
wheat. And the spiritual harvest is white already to 
harvest. Pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up and 
send forth laborers into the gospel field. Hope the chil- 
dren will be kind to each other, and pray the Savior to 
give them new hearts. Love to all. Aunt E — will 
please to read this to the little daughters. 

With much affection, yours, 

L. A. WICKES. 



DePuyster, August 28, 1842. 
My Daughters: 

You see by this that your dear pa and ma and little 
sister are yet in the place to which we first came. We 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 181 

have all enjoyed a pretty good degree of health. There 
have been three deaths in this place since we came here, 
but our lives have been spared. The people here to-day de- 
cided that the meeting should continue some days longer, 
Letter from so I can not tell you when we shall 

Mrs. W . leave this place. The Lord is doing 

a great work here. A great many have been con- 
verted and a great many are enquiring what they 
shall do to be saved. Many family altars have been 
erected and we hope many more will be. A great num- 
ber assembled at the meeting-house to-day that could 
not get in. Some came from Ogdensburg, Lisbon, Can- 
ton, DeKalb, McCombe, Huvelton and I don't know how 
many more, but I spoke with persons from all those 
places. Tell grandpa a Mr. S. P., brother of Mrs. A. 
and Mrs. B., in the village, has become a new man, he 
thinks, and we hope so, too. He came over to see your 
ma yesterday after meeting closed, where he thought he 
gave his heart to the Lord, and he appeared very differ- 
ent from what he did about a week ago when one evening 
I invited him to go forward to the anxious seat, but he 
was then a hardened Universalist and forbid his family 
coming to meeting; but to-day they could all come 
together. They had a good meeting last night ; probably 
more than a hundred forward for prayers. There is a 
great interest felt all over this region. Two gentlemen 
from Lisbon were here yesterday urging your dear pa to 
come and hold a meeting in that town. There are 
above three hundred inhabitants in that place, and the 
fields are white already to harvest, morally as well as 
temporally. Your dear pa wants to do the will of the 
Lord. Therefore we must pray much and watch the 



182 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

leadings of providence; a few days more will determine. 
But I must close. 

Love to all, Your Mother. 

C. WlCKES. 



At the close of this interesting and successful meeting 
Mr. W — , with wife and infant, returned home and made 
a visit to his parents, in Albany, N. Y., performed the 
marriage ceremony of his eldest sister, and returned to 
St. Lawrence early in October, and commenced a meeting 
at Lisbon. 

He was strongly urged by his friends to settle down 
as a pastor, and many churches were offered for his ser- 
vices, but he could not feel it duty to give up evangelistic 
labors, although sorely tempted by his affection for his 
home. 




OHAPTEE XIV. 



MEETING IN LISBON AND BIRTHDAY 
LETTER 1842. 




Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., Sept. 30th, 1842 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 



solitary and lonely one, I feel I am, on the 
h banks of the St. Lawrence, in a room eight by 

twelve, in a log house, with a bed, a table, a 
cupboard. A clock, two chairs, my trunk, 

etc., in the family of Mr. D., half a mile from the 
church, I now sit and talk with my bosom friend. I have 
been brought into the hardest place that I have been in 
since we were married. It is leaving my dear family. 
I have been almost overpowered and my heart swelled 
and my throat choked up much, yet I tried very much 
to keep myself in command. But when I arrived at our 
Mrs. w. room in Stows Square I was not saluted by joyful 
dren staid embrace of my little ones, nor the welcoming 
in Albany sm il e s of my dear wife. All solitary and lonely, 

for a visit . 

of months. I could not refrain my self any longer and gave 

183 



184 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

vent to my feelings. * When I sat down at the 
table your place was filled by another. And I 
about to make the breach eighty miles longer. My 
heart swelled greatly I can assure you until I became 
almost like a child. I thought of your trust or care, of 
the health of each child, of the dangers of temptations 
into which they would be placed, and for the moment I 
felt it was wrong for husband and wife to be separated, 
and was almost a good mind to start for A. and go and 
settle down once more. But yet feeling must not be my 
guide. The Lord forbid. Let me do the will of my 
heavenly Father. We have covenanted and let us not go 
back, so long as God opens the way before us let us all 
and each follow on. And may God protect and direct. 
On my way here I made several calls till I reached Bro, 
Cs., as my horse was tired Bro. C. kindly put his horse 
to the wagon and brought me through, making the day's 
ride sixty-five miles. When I found a goodly number 
come together and waiting for the minister to come, and 
I tried to preach from "Search me O God" etc. though I 
found myself very much exhausted. But there was an 
ungainly and wicked set of people, and an opportunity 
to do much good. There were perhaps two hundred or 
two hundred and fifty present the first evening. To day 
but a little handful to the prayer meeting, and a small 
number at the preaching in the afternoon. To night a 
large congregation out and the spirit of God is evi- 
dently moving upon many hearts. But there are a vast 
variety of folks here. There are Seceders, Covenanters 
two kinds of Baptists, two kinds of Methodists, Presby- 
terians, Congregationlists and Episcopalians, Mormons, 
Christians, and Universalists. So you can see what a 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 185 

motley mess there is, and they are made up of Dutch, 
Scotch, English, Irish, French, Canadian and Yankees 
and each with their prejudices and predilections and 
nothing but the wisdom and power of God will ac- 
complish any thing here. Thus to "become all things to 
all men" is a vast and great work and one which I feel 
entirely inadequate for the task. But I do know that 
God will guide me, and keep me if I will only lean upon 
His almighty arm. I found that the Episcopal clergyman 
had been rather forestalling the minds of some of the people 
and had intimated they were all weak minded and ignorant 
ones who were converted in their meeting. But weak as 
they are, they are the very ones he has tried most faith- 
fully to get into his church. I pray God he may find mercy 
by repenting. The work still goes on in DePuyster. At 
Huvelton they have hired the meeting-house to get 
ready for the other house so that they will have a year to 
repair the old house in. Truly what has God wrought. 
To His name be all the glory and the honor. I am at 
the close of my sheet. Do pray for me, Write soon. 
Love to all. Kiss the children for me. In haste, etc. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Lisbon, Oct. 6, 1842. 
Dear Sister A. 

I arrived at the old forsaken church after the people 

had all got together, and a pretty large congregation. 

But of all the heterogeneous parcels that I ever saw, 

this is the climax ! But the Lord is truly in the midst 

12 



186 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

of us. There have been some few hopeful conversions, 
and the work seems to be spreading around and deepen- 
ing. There was one man converted that was an active 
captain in the late war; was in several engagements and 
been a magistrate for twenty-four years here. He talks 
most nobly, and confessed with much frankness and sin- 
cerity. May the Lord carry forward the work in His 
own way ! To His name be all the glory ! I board 
about half a mile from the church, on the bank of the 
river, with Canada shore in view. The going and the 
weather is delightful. May the Lord smile on us all ! 
Love to all. 

Your Brother, 

L. A. WlCKES. 



LISBON, St. Lawrence Co., Oct. n, 1842. 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

I commence this morning filling my large sheet not 
knowing when I shall finish it. Since I wrote the Lord 
has appeared for our help and prejudice begins to vanish 
away, and the people begin to inquire what do these 
things mean ? There was considerable preparation made 
by the people externally, for the old house had stood 
unoccupied for some six or eight years, except used for 
the young people's gambling house. The windows were 
so much broken it took over halt a box of glass to mend 
them. The floors had broken down and the sway of 
Lord Tobacco had been so awful that his marks had 
been deeply stamped on all his steps and piled like heaps 
of pollution, and thoroughly dried in ; and the spiders, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 187 

worms and bats had seemed to have had a war to see 
who should claim the house as theirs, But the people 
had made war with all these and removed them, so that 
the shell seemed to be a little decent for intelligent beings 
to occupy. Some seemed to feel very anxious to have 
the Lord's work revive here, but yet there was a great 
amount of incredulity in the final good of the meeting. 
The Episcopal minister had been putting people on their 
guard against being excited, for none but persons of weak 
minds and inferior intellect were affected by such meet- 
ings. One of the plain men of the place answered him 
by saying that if this was the case then the two great 
political parties of the day were great fools, for they had 
made choice of " two of Wickes's converts (B — , Whig, 
and Readington Law), to represent them in the State 
Legislature and all that knew them knew they were men 
of no ordinary minds. But such arguments men do 
not think anything of. The Lord, however, will have all 
the glory and the honor of His own work. There have 
been some twenty or thirty hopeful conversions since the 
meeting commenced. One man, Captain L — , a reformed 
inebriate, has been hopefully brought to bow at the foot 
of the cross. He was an officer in the late war, and in 
several actions, and had become a very hardened, wicked 
Lisbon, and profane man. Once, in a drunken 

Oct. 11, 1842. frolic, he had sold a pew in the church for 
a glass of ardent spirits. His mind was so affected while 
sitting in it before he bowed to the Lord, that he could 
not stay in the house, " But went out to get rid of them," 
as he said. That, he felt, was wrong, so he returned and, 
we hope, became a praying man. He has for twenty- 
four or five years filled the office of magistrate in this 



188 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

town. They are driving the temperance reform here, and 
there is great need of it for it has been a most drunken 
hole, and the proverb is, or has been, that it was " Satan's 
gate to hell. And it has been, indeed, the very case. 
We have reason to fear too many souls have gone 
to the eternal world unprepared. Last Saturday, being the 
time of their monthly meeting, I gave them a short address 
of an hour and twenty minutes. Last Sabbath was a very 
rainy day and the congregation were late in getting in to 
meeting, so we concluded as it rained so hard we would 
have only one sermon. I preached from Isa. xxviii: 16; the 
spirit of God was in our midst. One young lady became 
a Christian, as we hope, during the exercise. To God be 
all the glory and the honor! He will make His word 
effectual when we will not cripple it by our unbelief and 
unfaithfulness. One man, the other evening, went away 
from church mad, cursing, and swearing he would never 
come to meeting again. But the Lord was too strong 
for him. On Sabbath evening, we hope, he became the 
heir of immortal glory. O, what a forgiving God is our 
Redeemer ! The meetings are not very well attended in 
the day time, but evenings the house is thronged. I find 
my own heart is very hard, amd unprepared for so great 
and so responsible a work. What a deceitful heart mine 
is ! And how much I do need God's constant care and 
His subduing grace to keep me anywhere near the 
bounds of truth and love to God; and how ungrateful I 
am for all the favors which he is conferring upon me ! 
O, for the meekness of Christ to fill my heart ! Yester- 
day, on getting to church, I was greeted by Captain L — 
saying: "There was a scene in my house yesterday that 
was never there before; there was father, mother, grand- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 189 

parents and children and grand children, all on their knees 
together, each calling on the name of the Lord. It melted 
my hard heart before the Lord. Oh, I never knew what 
happiness was before ! I used to think when I could get 
some half dozen or more of my old comrades together 
and get about half dead drunk, that I was really happy; 
and being a great politician, put a little flag on a broom 
and stuck it on the counter and then gave three cheers ; 
then I was completely happy. O, how wicked and what 
a fool I have been ! I am now determined, by God's 
help, to be as faithful for God as I have been for the 
devil." And while he talked the soldier's tears flowed in 
Lisbon, streams. Last evening one of his sons 

Oct, 11, 1842, among some forty others, hopefully gave 
themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant. 
Why, how good the Lord is to such vile and sinful worms 
as we are! The meeting-house, which will seat some 
four hundred or more comfortably, is crowded every 
evening, and some come a distance of five, six and eight 
miles; but in the day time the meeting is small — so small 
that I told them last evening that I would allow them 
to-day to see whether they will turn out to meeting, and 
if they cannot I should close this evening; yet I felt it 
would be an awful step for some of this community. 
But the Lord's cause must be promoted in every place. 
People begin to be afraid the meeting will close, and be- 
gin to pray some. 

Yesterday I received a pattern for a coat from 
an old blackleg (gambler) that was hopefully converted 
to God during the meeting in H — . He' lives 
up country in Canada, and is trying to get me there. 
Thus God supplies our wants; but soon we shall leave 



190 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

our earthly abode with all its wants. O, that we may 
ever be prepared for such an event ! 

13th. We had a very good congregation and there was 
a good deal of feeling among all classes. Several we hope 
gave themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant 
not to be broken. Some cases of interest, one man by 
the name of McCrea, he is a nephew to Miss McCreawho 
was taken and murdered by the two parties of In- 
dians in their anxiety to convey her to the British 
officer who was intending to marry her. He has 
been a miserable toper, a man of good education and 
an excellent natural ability. He has been sometime a 
Washingtonian and now we hope a Christian. To God 
be the glory. There were several others yesterday 
whom in charity we hope bcwed to the Savior and 
backsliders were coming back to the Lord. How 
strange it is that any heart should or would ever for- 
sake a God of so infinite love and kindness, and where 
true and lasting joy may be found, yea truly, enjoyed, 
is yet strange, as it is we are prone to wan- 
der from the God we love. Husbands and wives, parents 
and children do now begin to pour out the soul for 
each other and begin to feel that there is something to 
do for each other more than they have ever done. And 
when God's people do thus feel and then pour out 
their prayers they will not labor in vain. But greater 
ignorance upon the subject of religion among a professed 
Lisbon, enlightened people I never saw than I find 
October 11, 1842- here, moral obligation seems not to have 
any weight upon them. But the Lord can teach them. 
One of the prominent men of the town, an active justice 
of the peace, told me he had never thought of abstaining 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKER. 191 

from wrong because it was sin against God!! He is 
secretary of the Washingtonian Society and yet he 
did not engage in the cause because intemperance was a sin 
against the Lord. This is about the character of a large 
portion of these people. It is no wonder that man has gone 
on in sin. Nor that they do forsake the Lord when these 
principles are the only ones which would govern them. 
Truly how great is the blessing which we have had. Xo 
principles as weighty as eternity, and to have God's 
eternal truth press upon our hearts, to keep us within 
bounds of God's mercy. How different was Joseph 
when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife. "How can 
I do this great wickedness and sin against God." Here 
is a fortification which I ever wish my dear children 
to be fortified with in all things; this principle will stand 
when all the others will be banished away, and when 
the eye of earthly parents are not present to superin- 
tend the actions of their children, let it be stamped deeply 
upon ours whether we survive them or they us. The other 
day a lady came to me with a bitter moan and felt 
heart broken. Her daughter had after evening meet- 
ing gone with a young man to the justice's office and 
had been married unbeknown to her parents. "I have 
brought up my children very tender and kind and to 
have my eldest daughter begin in this way it is more 
then I can endure." I asked her if she had taught 
her daughter the Bible principles of obedience. She con- 
fessed she had not, but had brought her up very tenderly, 
and here we have an evidence of the necessity of 
Bible training, and to act from right principles. To 
look at wrong as being sin against God. How much 
wisdom we need. But, my dear, the Loid is with us 



192 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

here. Yesterday He was with us and His mighty 
power was gloriously displayed. I can not say how 
many have become hopefully disciples of Jesus. 
Among them one of the physicans, two justices of 
the peace, the supervisor of the town, the former super- 
visors, some five or six men of grey hairs and a goodly 
number of youth and middle aged persons. Blessed 
be the name of the Lord for all His kindness and the 
favors He has shown unto us. I can truly bless the 
Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His 
holy name. Truly if we will only be humble before 
Lisbon, our God he will be entreated of us. 

Oct. l, 1842. How great, how large are the favors 
which heaven bestows, to spend our lives in His cause. 
And yet how comparatively useless are the days of our 
life to what they should be. I sometimes feel that 
earth has but little hold on me. But when I think of 
the dear family in Albany, I find I yet am a social being 
and have an attachment for my earthly friends. 
But, Oh, how I do want to be heavenly minded and full 
of the love of God. There are brethren who do come 
in and labor for souls. ■ This day thus far has been a 
very good time, some have bowed to the sceptre of 
the Savior's love. Truly what has the Lord wrought. 
How blessed a Savior He is. How glorious and how 
great. Man is a most ungrateful being who will not 
serve and obey "him! Those who yesterday professed 
to give themselves to the. Lord came forward and took 
part in the morning meeting, and there was a feeling 
for the welfare of others that there has not been, ap- 
parently, since the meeting commenced. When the 
meeting commenced they used to bring in requests for 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 193 

the prisoners of Van Diemen's Land, the persecuted 
Christians in Germany, God's ancient people, the Jews, 
the inmates of the poor house. But they begin to 
find others are poor, oppressed by the devil and pris- 
oners. While those were laudable objects of prayer yet 
they were only a form. Now they work. Last evening 
I stayed at the house of one of the young converts, where 
we had a house full of them, and a glorious time we had 
of it too. To day the Lord has been with us, three 
or four fathers among others have been led to believe 
on the Lord Jesus, and some mothers, also some young 
people. The Lord's work moves forward and has a 
good effect on the town, and especially upon the first 
men of the town. To His name be all the glory and 
the honor for all that He has done. Oh, let us mag- 
nify His great name that we can have the privilege 
of working for Him. Tell the dear children to be kind 
to each other, and to all. Let the greatest pains be 
taken to teach them the fear of the Lord. Let them 
daily read God's word. If you are in want let me 
know. Love to all. 

Your affectionate Husband. 

L. A. WICKES. 



Lisbon, Oct. 25, 1842. 

Dear Brother Cross: 

I have been very much disappointed in not seeing 
you at this place before this. I think if you had known 
how much you were needed here, you would have come. 



194 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

The Lord truly is in the midst of us. Now I wish, Bro., 
if it is possible, you would come down here that you may 
finish up the work here after I leave. The work has got 
among the first class of the town ; nearly all the town 
officers have become subjects of the work. To God be 
all the glory given ! O, how good and how glorious it is 
for men to serve God ! May the Lord bless you, my 
dear Brother, and you be the honored instrument of great 
good yet in His glorious cause! 

Remember me to all, especially to Mrs. C — . Do 
not fail to come if possible. Do not let a little storm 
prevent you. Pray much for 

Your unworthy Brother, 
L. A. WICKES. 



Lisbon, Oct., 28th 1842. 

My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

Your letter was received not until the 17th inst., 
when it was a welcome messenger I can assure you. 
The postmaster handed it in at my room before day with 
a candle, and I lost no time in perusing it. I have felt all 
the time that the Lord would take care of you and would 
be your support. Friendship is too weak a term for me 
to express the feeling which I have for my dear family, 
and love is a lame expression in comparison. I have 
sometimes thought that I was almost verging on to the 
borders of idolatry when I see what are the emotions of 
my bosom, Yet the Lord does truly say, " Husbands, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 195- 

love your wives." '"' * * Since I wrote you 
the Lord has been among us. Many have bowed at the 
foot of the cross and subscribed unto the Lord with their 
own hand. To God be all the glory ! 

November ist. I have not found time since I wrote 
the above to scarce put my pen on paper for a moment. 
Last Sabbath I intended to close the meeting with my 
farewell address to the converts. There were one hun- 
dred and ten who took their seats together, and a goodly 
number that were absent from the place. We entered 
the church at nine in the morning for prayers, had about 
three-fourths of an hour's intermission, and closed the 
meeting after sundown. Commenced meeting at seven 
and closed at half past eleven o'clock. At the close there 
was a resolution passed requesting me to stay longer,. 
and they would turn out and attend the meeting so long 
as there are evident tokens of the will of God that the 
meetings should go forward. Xow they have gone and 
prepared the other old shell of a forsaken church and are 
earnestly begging me to come there. It is about three 
miles back from the river. A wicked man who keeps a 
tavern close by says he will stop selling liquor while the 
meeting lasts if I will come, and will give me the best his 
house can afford. I finally have postponed going to 
Woodville for a week longer. Next Friday to Sabbath 
I shall spend at Huvelton, to administer the communion 
to the church, and shall probably return to this town on 
Monday. Such a state of things as was never before 
seen in this town exists now. And all that has been 
done by God's people is to lay low before God and do 
their duty, and scores of souls fly to God. I feel that I 
hardly know what duty is, yet I am inclined to believe 



1$6 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

that the providence of God says, stay here for the pres- 
Lisbon, ent. There is much land to be possessed 
Nov. 3, 1842. i n this whole region and may the Lord send 
up His people to possess it ! Many of the converts are 
very strong and work very well, but a great deal of ignor- 
ance in regard to the things of religion has prevailed. 
Now there is but little heard here but temperance and 
religion ; the cause is prospering. The house has been so 
Unusual crowded that the only way I could get into 
interest. tne nouse mvse lf has been to get through the 
window and then have to climb over the heads of many. 
November 3d. Last evening there were about a hun- 
dred and forty or fifty forward for prayers, and the most 
of them are expressing hope in a Savior's love and pardon. 
There have been some of the vilest of characters that 
have been led to the foot of the cross. You would think 
it almost incredible if I were to attempt to describe the 
scenes that have been exposed on the banks of the St. 
Lawrence. H — in its abominations can scarcely be 
compared to it. One French girl that God laid His hands 
upon so powerfully, came and wanted help. Her con- 
fessions to God and to man were awful ! She walked 
some ten or twelve miles to confess to persons she had 
abused. I sometimes hardly know what to do with 
many. O, for wisdom ! I need to be " Wise as a serpent 
and harmless as a dove." And some of them would make 
the cheeks of hell to blush; and that, too, among those 
who have supposed they were in the first ranks of soci- 
ety. In short, the first ranks of society and the dregs 
of society are, as a general thing, the two classes that 
will meet in hell together. May the Lord show them 
their abominations! Many who have been members of 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 197 

the church, yet have to learn, their way is very perverse 
before the Lord. Last evening my little room was crammed 
and jammed in with men and women crying for mercy; 
some of the hardest cases in all the town. To God be 
all the glory given ! Let us pray and give thanks, and 
continue to labor. Miss L — P — is at this place. You 
will remember her decided piety. She has now the priv- 
ilege of having four brothers hopefully serving God. 
This she has long prayed for. She is known as a faithful 
and an esteemed Christian by all who know her. She 
and others wish to be remembered to you. Pray much 
for this place. As to the children going to school, you 
must do as you think best. But to none but a pious 
teacher who does their duty as a Christian. Love to all. 
Kiss the little ones for me. 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Lisbon, Nov. 12, 1842. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

You perceive by this, I am yet in the North, on 
the border town. Since I wrote you the Lord has 
been in our midst. I think I finished my last after I 
had preached to the converts, when there were some 
over a hundred and twenty together. After that, 
the meeting continued until Thursday evening, and 
there were some thirty-five more who professed hope 
in Christ. I then left to spend the Friday to Sabbath 
in H.; preached there in the afternoon and evening, and 



198 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

•church meeting, and all day Saturday. On Sabbath, the 
Lord was with us, twelve were added to the church and 
we had a heavenly sitting together. I do not know, my 
dear, as I have ever felt more the sweet delight in the 
service of the Lord than I have of late, such close com- 
munion with my Lord. It is delight, it is joy and peace. 
I have felt that it was because I have been more willing 
to deny myself and forego privileges than I have at any 
time of my life, since I have been in the ministry, and I 
do feel that God has heard and answered prayer. We 
can do each other good when we are far away from each 
other, and can in faith oft unite. The converts at H. are 
very faithful and grow in grace. It does my soul good 
to hear them pour out their supplications to the Lord. 
The church in H. now numbers seventy-six. There is al- 
together a different state of society here, than there was a 
few months ago. They are very solicitous for me to stay 
with them, but let the Lord direct, and we will follow in 
the path of duty. On Tuesday I returned to the cen- 
tre of the town of Lisbon. Here I board with the inn- 
keeper who has closed the bar as long as I shall stay 
here. The meeting-house was a wretched miserable shell, 
been used for town-meetings, elections, sheep, cats and 
gambler's home. " The swallows had made their nests 
there,'" but the people had gone to work and cleaned it 
out, so that there was a little appearance of boards and a 
floor. The house is, indeed, an unpleasantly contrived 
one. Doors on three sides of the house, ten slips in the 
centre and then surrounded with square pews, the 
pulpit on the side of the house. But the Lord has 
kindly condescended to grace it with His holy presence 
and his forgiving power. There are many of the most 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 199 

powerful prejudices to be overcome among some of the 
old South Presbyterian Church here, but may they have 
a refreshing from the presence of the Lord, which will 
melt down all unholiness and bring sinners to the ac- 
Lisbon, knowledging of the truth as it is in Jesus 
Nov. 12, 1842. Christ. The Lord was with us yesterday 
and some souls w r ere brought to the fold 
of Jesus. To His name be all the glory. The prejudices 
of the people are very peculiar. They are the old Scotch. 
They want to sing the Psalms of David in metre, but 
get no rhyme or even metre at all. They want one to 
stand under the pulpit and present it out line by line. 
They wish it to be sung by all, yet not to have a bass- 
viol, nor the flute, nor any other instrument. Last eve- 
ning there were about one hundred forward for prayers. 
The most of them were young men, and quite a number, 
we hope, gave themselves to the Lord, but still there is 
much to be done yet. Here are hundreds in this town 
that are without hope in the Lord ; may the Lord have 
mercy on them. This morning I have been called to 
visit a man in the last hours of life. His hope is 
strong in the Lord, and his prospects of heaven are ap- 
parently bright. He could say but a word or two, but 
it was full of grace and the spirit of God. He leaves a 
large family nearly all grown up, a part of them are re- 
joicing in hope. How sweet it is to have our friends, if 
1 6th they are taken from us, sleep in Jesus. I 

have just returned from the funeral of the man that I 
mentioned to you on the 14th. He died in an hour or 
two after I left in the triumph of hope. Bro. Wing of 
the Methodist Church, preached the sermon, John 14 : 
12, by the request of the dying man. There is a work 



200 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

for somebody to do to save this vast waste. Every day 
there is some one who, we hope, comes to the Lord. 
They are of various grades, but all most wicked and sin- 
ful. How long I shall stay, I cannot say, probably not 
very long, may the Lord direct. The other day, while 
preaching, I referred to the bones on Brier hill, at Sack- 
ett's Harbor, in illustrating the vision of dry bones by 
Ezekiel. There was present Capt. Lytle, whom I men- 
tioned in my former letter. He was one who helped 
deposit them there, and when I mentioned them he 
could scarcely contain his emotions, he said he could 
see nothing but dry bones all the evening and all night. 
He is truly now a soldier of Jesus, and trying to do all 
in his power to advance the cause of the Lord. Brother 
Hotchkiss, from Potsdam, is here, The mortality in that 
place has been very great ; in less than six months one 
hundred and fifty deaths, but scarce none of them mem- 
bers of his church. The Universalists buried nearly one- 
half. There were some few dear lambs of the flock that 
were brought to the trying point and crossed the 
line Oh, how great is the care of them ; perhaps 
Lisbon, they were taken from the evil to come. 
Nov. 1842. J. C. the person, our dear friend, Mrs. R. 
took such interest in his behalf, is dead. He 
died rather indulging hope before he went thence. We 
have heard that there is much need of moral reform efforts, 
for there are alarming reports of the violation of the sev- 
enth commandment in this region. Something should 
be done for the safety for the people, especially the young 
of our land, or it may become a nation of blood, if not 
already ripe for destruction. But may God graciously 
save us from the jaws of death. Little did I think, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 20l 

when I was in A., and our friend Miss L. P. used to re- 
quest prayer for Lisbon, that I should be sent to this 
place to prophecy over these dry bones, but so it is the 
will of the Lord toward us. I have had some of the 
most delightful soul communions in drawing near to God, 
an enrapture of soul at the feet of Jesus, yet I find it is 
one thing to be in such a frame and then to be full of 
the longing of soul for our Redeemer's cause. I do want 
that constant feeling for souls that Paul speaks of, " I 
say the truth in Christ." It is a privilege that we may have 
to draw near to God and feel that he draws near to us. 
I hope you are cultivating a spirit of earnest devotion. 
How much does your faith take hold on the promises of 
God ? I hope you will lean much on the arm of the 
Lord. The family are daily remembered. It is a com- 
fort to my heart that we have the prayers of Christian 
friends. * * * I have but little time to write, and 
now my room is full. There have been four of the family 
hopefully converted. The head of the family is almost 
persuaded to be a Christian, but there he seems to 
stand. May the Lord have mercy on him. I must 
hasten to a close. Love to all. May it please the 
Lord to let His blessing descend on you, is the prayer of 
your affectionate husband. 

L. A. WICKES. 



An extract, Last Friday, Saturday and Sabbath, I 

Dec. ist, 1842. organized the Congregational Church at 
Lisbon, with sixty-five members, bap- 
tized twenty-eight adults and two children, and admin- 
13 



202 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

istered the Lord's supper. A crowded house of all 
denominations of Christians, a scene which was never 
before known in that town. Many of them are the 
first men of the town. But what they will do for a 
minister I cannot divine. They need one very much im- 
mediately, and one of the right feeling, views, and a work- 
man. " Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labor- 
ers into the harvest, it is great and the laborers are few.' 
There were quite a goodly number united with the 
Methodists, and many will go to other churches. Truly, 
what hath God wrought for poor despised Lisbon. To 
God be all the glory! I left on Monday with many tears 
and kind greetings and adieus. Arrived home 2d De- 
cember. 

L. A WICKES. 



Stow's Square, Dec. 8, 1842. 
My Dear and Affectionate Parents : 

. You will perceive by this that I have reached another 
anniversary of my life. Truly, how rapid time has rolled 
her wheels around ! As the poet says, " My days, my 
weeks, my months, my years, fly rapid as the whirling 
spheres." And neither the sun nor the moon have stood 
still for me to accomplish any of the duties of the year. 
O, how sweet the reflection that we may live so as to 
give some good account for every moment at the last. 
But such, I find, is not my life. O, for that heavenly char- 
acter of my blessed Lord, who went about doing good ! 
I find it the most difficult thing to keep my heart just 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 203 

right; and especially in making my yearly returns to my 
parents. If I have done but little I feel ashamed, and 
almost would look for some excuse. And if I have been 
the means of doing any good, pride shows his deformed 
head, and I almost feel as Moses is said to have felt when 
he smote the rocks and said : " You rebels ! Shall / bring 
water out of this rock for you ? If Moses was, for the 
sin at those waters, forbidden to enter the promised land, 
why may not I expect that God will be grieved for the 
pride of my heart ? Oh, how subtle is Satan ! How 
vain and how pretendedly humble ! How devoted and 
how zealous, too ! How affectionate and yet how hate- 
ful! O, my Heavenly Father, prepare me to stand 
against every wile of the deceiver ! ! While I look over 
the past year, may I have my heart right in the sight of 
the Lord. During the past year the hand of the Lord 
has been over me. I have preached about 450 sermons; 
attended about 250 prayer and inquiry meetings. Here 
is responsibility ! How much good the Lord has done 
through my instrumentality, He only, knows, and His 
name shall have all the glory and the honor. And how 
much injury I may have done, eternity may unfold a vast 
amount. O, may the Lord pardon ! How heavenly 
minded I should be with all these privileges, and yet how 
little of the love of God do I possess in my soul ! God 
will certainly require more of me than many others if my 
indebtedness will be according to the privileges which He 
1842. does give me. I do feel that I am far from 
that heavenly state where the Christian should be; and 
especially the Christian minister, who stands to point 
souls to the port of rest. O, for a new baptism of the 
Holy Ghost ! During the year I have seen the hopeful 



204 EIFE AND LETTERS OF 

conversion of about 900 souls ! To God be all the glory ! 
Yea, " Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within, 
bless His holy name ! " Heaven has rejoiced, and so 
will I mingle my joys. But how many of these may yet 
be living in sin, and may be deceived, I know not. O, 
may the kind Lord undeceive any that may be thus ! 
Possibly some were. If I only knew who they were I 
would warn them. And those who have been brought 
to the true fold of Jesus, precious souls, my heart feels 
for them ! O, the snares which will be laid for their feet ! 
Great Shepherd of Israel, keep Thou them ! I have organ- 
ized two churches one of sixty-two and the other sixty- 
five members; ordained four deacons by laying on of 
hands; baptized about fifty adults; administered the 
Lord's supper four times. Some have gone to the grave 
from among those who have given evidence of their turn- 
ing to the Lord, and they have gone in the triumphs of 
faith. For which, may the Lord accept my humble 
thanks ! O, I love to see or hear of their leaving earth with 
the prospect of heaven in full view; to range the blessed 
field on the side of the river, and sing hallelujah for ever 
and ever ! Oh, the Christian's work is only begun when 
he enters upon his immortal spiritual life. Who would 
not love Jesus? Who would not be a follower of the 
Lamb ? What an honor conferred on mortals of a sinful 
race ! Cold and sordid must be that heart that can be- 
hold no beauties in the Savior. When all heaven does 
adore Him, and all hell stands trembling at His power! 
O, for more faith in Jesus — to see greater things than 
these. Why shall I limit my blessed Lord? May 
heaven forbid and forgive ! I have traveled during the 
year about 1,300 miles. Truly the Lord is my helper! 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 205 

And this year, too, has been signal with the afflictive 
hand of God upon me. For a few days He brought me 
to the sides of the tomb. For four months, nearly, I did 
not perform any ministerial labor of consequence. My 
affliction was good for me ; I adore His hand for it. It 
has taught me many precious lessons. It was truly a 
testing spot. Then I saw truly more than ever the 
beauty of my Savior's love. For a little moment I did 
feel that I must be the first to be taken from your circle, 
but the Lord otherwise decreed. It was then He 
brought me to see the need of being more faithful in the 
cause of Jesus. Then I renewedly consecrated all the 
powers to this service which He will give me. Yet how 
poorly have I fulfilled what I did vow ! I can truly say : 
" Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it ; prone to leave the God 
I love." Yet pray the Lord to place His seal on this 
heart of mine. The clock has struck twelve of the mid- 
night hour and I must close. This day of public thanks- 
giving, I feel, should have thanks from one so greatly 
blessed as I have been. Adieu for the night. 

Friday morning, 9th. The Lord has been very kind 
to me another night, and His tender mercies are over me 
again. " O, to grace a debtor, daily I am constrained to 
be ! " Every day brings new mercies and lays me under 
renewed obligations to God for all His kindness. While 
the Lord has not taken me away, and thus broken the 
family circle, yet that circle has been broken by another 
— yes, she has gone ! Dear sister ! the Lord has called 
her away. That voice that so sweetly used to make the 
circle delighted with her sweet anthems is now hushed 
upon earth. But, blessed be God, I hope it is not closed 
in the courts above. Let not the heart murmur, my dear 



200 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

parents. We have always known that we must be 
broken as a family. While the heart may weep (and it 
would be unnatural not to), yet feel all is well. I know 
that all our hopes must hang on Jesus, who can bind up 
the broken heart and say to all sorrow depart, and it 
shall obey Him. I have looked every day for a letter 
from some of you, giving the particulars of her death, but 
as yet have looked in vain. I hope such a letter I may 
soon receive. I have sometimes felt it was too much to 
be separated* from my family as I have been since the 
month of September; and yet I feel that the Lord has 
called me to this very place. I wish to do the will of my 
heavenly Father, and all the self-denial which I can pos- 
sibly practice is nothing to be compared to the self-denial 
of my Savior. I want the family all to hear the voice of 
Providence in the death of our dear sister C — , saying : " Be 
ye also ready ! " and all serve the Lord faithfully. All 
send love. Remember me affectionately to all, and ever 
pray for 

Your son, 

L. A. WICKES. 




CHAPTER XT. 

MEETINGS AT WOODVILLE, COPENHAGEN 
AND RODMAN. 



My Dear Affectionate Wife: 

WOODVILLE, Dec. 12, 1 842. 



H 



REACHED this place on Saturday evening 
about eight o'clock, and found a few gathered to- 
gether for a prayer-meeting and there seemed to 
be some feeling among them. On Sabbath, Bro. Pond 
went to Belleville and left me alone to preach to his 
people. The church is small, and will not hold to ex- 
ceed two hundred and fifty or thereabouts. The congre- 
gation on yesterday was only about one hundred and 
thirty. A small number, indeed. Responsibility is 
diminished as numbers diminish, yet it looks rather dark. 
It is true there have been several protracted meetings 
here, and they have been burnt over by all kinds 
of fire, holy fire, wild fire, and Satan's fire. They 
have two churches, Congregationalist and Baptist. 

207 



208 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Here are some scattering Methodists, and there is 
almost everything else here. The village contains 
about twenty families, no tavern, one distillery (the 
devil's teapot) that keeps a constant groaning in its ma- 
chinery resembling very, very faintly the groaning of 
those who shall be destroyed by their works. O, that 
God would break down their iniquities. What the 
Lord may order about these things here and in this 
county, I cannot say. It truly is a desolation. Bro. B. 
wants me to labor with him, and Bro. S. wants me to 
come to Rodman. But what duty is, I cannot say. 
I think I shall not, however, make any positive engage- 
ment in this region for the present. But let us culti- 
vate much of the spirit of our heavenly Father. There 
is a joy that the child of God may possess in the 
life of the Christian. I do feel that we may have a 
more glorious view of heavenly realities, and the worth oi 
souls, the infinite sacrifice that has been made to 
purchase our eternal redemption from sin, and I do 
feel that I want that love of the Savior to dwell 
in me that the life which I live "I may live by faith in the 
son of God." O! that God would help my unbelief. 
Do pray for me that I may possess more of the 
Spirit of the Lord, whose I am and whom I serve. 
Remember me affectionately to all the friends in 
Albany and in Troy. May my little girls be the 
best in A. until I- come, and do every thing to please 
the Lord and then you will be loved by all. * * *" 
I have just heard from Lisbon. The work of the 
Lord is still going on in that place. 

Your affectionate Husband and Father. 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 209 

Woodville, Jan. 2, 1843. 
Dear Sister E. : 

I received your line by Mr. C. yesterday. I in- 
tended to close the meeting yesterday but some felt 
they could not consent to have it closed. Though 
it is very thinly attended indeed, and it promises to 
be extensive from the fact that the people in the 
vicinity around do not attend much. Nearly every 
person who has attended in the day time has been 
hopefully converted, how many I can not say. But 
there is an unpleasant feeling between some members 
of the churches. Though in this church there is 
now pretty good state of feeling. Backsliders have 
been reclaimed by the scores. There is a large circle 
of young people, who have been brought back to 
the fold of Christ, among them are two sisters of 
Mr. C. To God be all the glory. The meeting I 
now think will hold but a few days. May the Lord 
direct. The people in Belleville are very anxious to 
hold a meeting there. But I know not whether I 
shall. So also Bro. Spears has been here, to have 
me go to Rodman. But I now think that my first 
business will be to go after my family when I close 
here. Pray much dear sister. Live at the feet of 
the Saviour. Love to all. 

Your brother in haste. 

L. A. WICKES. 

Soon after he brought home his family from Albany 
and commenced a meeting at Copenhagen which re- 
sulted in much good. 



210 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

^Copenhagen, Feb. nth. 1843. 
My Dear Bro. Cross: 

To You will perceive by the date of this that 

Mr. Cross. I a m still in the land of the living. Though 
it is just a year to day since God laid his hand on 
me in H. and I came near to the grave. I am a 
great debtor to the Lord for all his kindness to me. 
And I should have gone to the tomb long ere this I do 
believe if it had not been for the prayers of God's 
dear people. "I was brought low* and he helped me." 
To His name be all the glory and the honor — I have 
endured much more labor the year past than I ever 
thought I should be able to perform. And my health 
is now quite good. Since I parted with you my dear 
Bro., I have had many conflicts in my own feelings 
I can asure you. I have never had so heavy weight 
on my heart as I have had for the dear friends in 
St. L. County. My very heart has been borne 
down with a longing for the dear people of God. 
I did not know how much I did love that people. 
Truly my heart was knit to them and I feel they 
are like parents and children to me. May God pre- 
serve them. I have had many feelings of whether 

* In a sermon preached, while holding a meeting at Copen- 
hagen, he related an incident respecting a young man putting up a 
barn. He had prepared his timbers, got his bents all placed ready 
to raise, called his neighbors to help raise it. It began to rain, 
his neighbors thought it dangerous to raise such heavy timbers when 
wet. He took an oath and said it should be raised if he "went 
to hell"!! They all attempted to raise the first bent, when about 
half way up it slipped and fell, and caught his head, and smashed 
his brains, scattering them in every direction. A man in the con- 
gregation immediately arose, and said it was a fact for he saw it. 
It produced a striking effect. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 211 

it is duty to remain in this region. Yet there is an 
appearance of a great door being open in this com- 
munity. The meeting at W. was rather poorly at- 
tended. Much of the weather was very unfavorable 
and the obstacles in the way were most mighty and 
great, yet the Lord got himself a name there. There 
were somewhere between sixty and eighty hopefully con- 
verted and reclaimed from their backslidings. Our Baptist 
brethren did not come in as a church, Though some 
took hold with all their might. I have been here a 
little over three weeks, God's spirit is among us 
though the whole community are on the move yet 
Christians are not where they should be. I wish I 
had you here to help. No. I do not either. For I 
want you to go to L. if it is duty. And I do think 
it is for the present. I received a letter from there a 
day or two since in which they say they could have 
got you there, if you had not thought it would have 
interfered with me. Now my Bro. you need not be 
afraid of such at all. And I do think you cannot 
serve the cause of Christ better than to go there, 
and at W. or H. I had thought about the time I 
left you that I should locate. But the providence 
of God seems to forbid my doing it. Calls multiply 
above measure. I have calls from Rodman, Belleville, 
Brownville, Smithville, Mansville, Sackett's Harbor, etc., 
etc., so that I do not know where there is a stopping 
place. I do think brother that you can do a good 
work in L. And if they send for you, do go, if it is 
only for a year. I have written to them accordingly. 
May God direct you. Put on your fisher's coat and 
bound into the great deep of the fishes' abode, and God 



212 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

will help you. I feel dear brother you would be the 
means of saving that church in its infancy. May 
God direct and bless you. Write soon and let me 
know all about things. Tell Dea. W. to pray God to di- 
rect me. Love to him and all the dear brethren. Re- 
member me to Mrs. C. 

In haste your Bro. in Christ. 

L. A. WICKES. 



Rodman, Feb. 27, 1843. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

My ride to this place was very cold and tedious. I 
called a little while at Bro. A — 's. Met there a Bro. S — 
and wife, from over in Greig, whom I had not seen since 
I left there, when holding a meeting there. They in- 
formed me that prospects were more favorable than they 
had been. Called at Dea. D— 's, about four miles from 
this place, who is a deacon of this church and one of the 
most efficient members, and found him very sick, and still 
is so. Reached here while people were assembling for 
meeting. Bro. Spears was reading the Scriptures, intro- 
ductory to a prayer-meeting. There were something like 
a hundred present and many of them were real loungers, 
as though some of them had come to meeting to make it 
a place of rest. ' Got hold of the feelings of some. Fri- 
day morning but little done; only a few there, and that 
few very cold. The state of feeling has gone back for a 
week or two, so that I did not have a just idea of it. 
In the afternoon a few out in comparison to the whole 
number. In the evening a pretty good attendance and 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 213 

some feeling. Saturday, some few out, but not much in- 
crease as to feeling or numbers. Sabbath we had a 
houseful, which will hold about four hundred, and the 
Lord has made His truth effectual during the day. The 
characters of Abraham and Eli had a most powerful 
effect on all the congregation. May God, by His spirit, 
carry it home to the conscience, and sanctify it to many 
souls. In the evening I did not feel well, and did not 
preach much. I felt ashamed to think I should cripple 
the word of the Lord so much. Last evening went to 
meeting much as the ox goeth to the slaughter ; felt un- 
able to preach. But the Lord helped me very much, 
thanks to His holy name! Why should I be so distrust- 
ful, and question the promises of God so much, and be so 
unwilling to leave all in His hands ? O, that this heart 
of stone were subdued ! The forenoon meeting was 
quite interesting; some considerable feeling. This after- 
noon the Lord was in our midst. One lady to-day, a 
married lady, hoped she gave all to Christ, though very 
weak and feeble. Some of our friends here from Wood- 
ville. The Lord is still there, though no conversions 
since I left there. It is a subject that I think I must 
devote some thought upon : Why there are no more 
conversions after the meetings close, and the remedy for 
that evil? I have coughed so much that I feel some sore 
Rodman, across my lungs, but the Lord may 

Feb. 28, 1843. strengthen me yet. To-day is the last 
day of winter. How quick time has fled and gone, and 
yet how replete with deep interest ! How much good or 
evil the Lord only knows, has been done. O, how I 
should live at the foot of the cross, where I may have the 
aid and direction of my heavenly Father ! One year ago 



214 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

now we were in Hermon and in other circumstances than 
now. How kind the Lord has been to us ! O, may we 
be humble, and ever adore the grace that God has given 
to us ! What may be the result of another year we know 
not; let us act accordingly, and live more like pilgrims on 
the earth. There is more need of our living humble 
than, perhaps, almost any others, for we are liable to 
temptations which others are not, or may not have from 
the very places in which we are placed in. Thus, we 
have commenced the months of spring. O, may it prove 
to us a putting forth of new and strong desires for the 
salvation and good of souls, and a new life of obedience 
to God ! On the last day of winter we called forward 
the whole of the church in public confession and humili- 
ation, when a large number came forward and renewed 
their covenant vows to God ; and the day following they 
unbosomed themselves in full, so that the impenitent felt 
they were left without one excuse. Yesterday I called 
for prayers in the morning meeting and there were about 
'thirty came forward, and, we hope, some seven or eight 
gave themselves to the Lord, and the work seems to be 
deepening quite fast. Bro. S — 's family I have some 
hope for. May they come to Jesus and live devoted 
lives ! O, what a thought to bring up children for sin 
and woe ! The more I think of it the more I see the im- 
portance of placing children under the influence of piety 
and humble devotedness to God. And what a responsi- 
bility is resting upon us ! May the Lord direct us in the 
path of light. At the closing up of the meeting on the 
last evening, about one hundred expressed an interest in 
the love of a Savior. Pray much for me, and for this 
place. Love to all. Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 215 

Rodman, March 18, 1843. 
Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

On account of snow we have had no mail from the 
east for a week, but we have not had enough snow to 
prevent our having meetings, until this evening I thought 
it not best to have any meeting, for it snows and blows 
very much and the prospects are very gloomy as to get- 
ting out a congregation. The roads are very much 
blocked up, and it is doubtful whether there will be any 
getting out to-morrow. " But sufficient to the day is the 
evil thereof." Since I wrote you the Lord has been with 
us here, and quite a number have bowed to the sceptre 
of love. A much greater proportion are females than the 
other sex. 

2 1 st. Since dating this I have not had time to write 
any more until this morning. I preached on Sabbath 
two and three-fourths hours in one sermon, on account 
of the storm, which has been very severe here. The roads 
have been completely blocked up, so that it has been 
about impossible to get out, yet we have had a number 
out and almost daily some have come to the Lord ; yet 
things drag much. I said nothing though I was at meet- 
ing, except in personal conversation, and last evening 
stayed at my room and tried to cure my cough, which 
has followed me up all the time and is now accompanied 
by a pain on my lung, something as when at H — . But 
I am in hopes to throw it off; perhaps I cannot. May 
the Lord direct me what to do ! Elder C — has gone on 
with the meeting at B — , and I think it very doubtful 
whether I shall go there at all. The people of Adams 



216 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

are quite anxious, and are making arrangements for me 
to come there, I will if possible. I have not given them 
much encouragement as yet, and I doubt very much 
whether it will be duty for me while I have such a con- 
stant cough. Yet there is appearance of good for that 
place. Some from there have been brought to bow at 
the foot of the cross. Since I Avrote you Bro. N — has 
sent from Hopkinton to get me to come there. I have 
Rodman, answered in the negative. So there has 
March, 1843. been a delegation here from Gouverneur, to 
have me come and hold a meeting with the new church 
organized there, by the St. Lawrence Consociation. 
But I do not see the way clear, for the present, to go 
there Also I have had a pressing request from the 
church in Rome, Oneida County, under the pastoral care 
of the Rev. C. Jones. To this, for the present, I have 
returned a negative answer. What God has for me to 
do I cannot say ; or whether it is to come to the grave 
I know not, but let me be prepared for any and every 
place where the Lord may call me. I have no positive 
engagement after this meeting, though quite a number of 
applications. Let us pray much for the guidance of His 
spirit in this time of anxiety. The churches here were in 
a wretched and broken condition and no piety that 
showed itself among the people, except in a very few 
cases. But some of the brethren have got hold on the 
arm of the Lord. And the young converts do work 
nobly. Yet it is difficult to please all, and it is a hard 
matter to keep things in that path where they may all 
feel to work. The Methodists want more noise; some 
of this church do not want any noise at all. One thinks 
that no one can be converted without crying out loud ; 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 217 

another, none can be savingly converted because there is 
now and then an "amen" through the house, so that un- 
belief is on all sides; yet the Lord will honor Himself in 
the salvation of souls. Mr. Spears feels very deeply for 
his sons, and prays very much for them. May all the 
family feel an equal responsibility and act in the fear of 
God, praying without ceasing. Pray much for me and 
for this place. Bro. Spears has just been in and advised 
me not to go out this morning, but I think I must. 
Tell the dear children to be good and love their ma and 
all, and especially their Savior, who is their best friend. 
Kiss little Sarah for me. Sweet child — she hardly knows 
vjh.dX father means. She is almost like a fatherless one. 
May the Lord smile upon her! Let us study to be more 
of a heavenly temperament, and our little ones learn to 
become like Christ, our glorified Savior. I must close. 
Love to all. In haste, 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 




CHAPTER XVI. 




FROM MRS. WICKES, TO HER SISTER. MEET- 
INGS AT BELLEVILLE, AND ADAMS. 

Belleville, March 31st, 1843. 
Dear Sister: 

H^jY this time you will begin to look for a letter as 
you see we have not turned our course towards 
home. After getting to Rodman through un- 
trod roads, snow-drifts, and storm, I concluded it was 
the will of Providence that I should remain until hus- 
band had determined what his duty was in regard 
to his engagements in this place. He had an appoint- 
ment at Belleville, on Wed. eve. He commenced the meet- 
ing Monday and closed up on Tuesday eve., but at the 
earnest solvations of the people of R. they constrained 
him to stay another day still. Wednesday morning 
the meeting continued, and in the afternoon messen- 
gers came from Belleville to see if he was going to come 
and commence here in the evening, as every arrange- 
ment had been made, and all were expecting him. 
He sent them word he would be here Thursday eve., 
putting them off one day. When the meeting closed 
Wed. night about seventy rose that thought they had 
been converted since last Sabbath. Bro. H's house was 
thronged until noon yesterday when we left and came to 

218 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 219 

this place. There was a large congregation out last 
eve. The results of this meeting are yet to be seen. 
I hope the Lord will overrule all to His own glory. 
If the Lord has a work for us to do in B. I trust He 
will strengthen us to do it. The Presbyterian church 
is in a very low state though they are quite united 
with the Methodists who are considerably engaged in 
sustaining this meeting. The prospects have been 
very favorable to-day. Sat., April 1st. Last night the 
churches consecrated themselves to this work publicly. 
I trust the Lord will do great things for this people. 
Husband works on without stopping to think about his 
cold. We are in the family of Dr. H. They have five 
children. Youngest is a pleasant little girl between 
eleven and twelve; the oldest daughter is hoping. All 
appear attentive, the two sons especially thoughtful. 
Their own mother died about three or four years since, 
a devoted Christian. Hope we shall see all the children 
choosing God for their portion. I trust the Lord will 
make you all His care while we aim to labor in His blessed 
cause. Pray for us. 

Your affectionate sister, 

C. WICKES. 



Belleville, April i, 1843. 
An Extract. — Have just returned from meeting this 
evening. A large congregation out; and it was very 
solemn and attentive ,and indeed, in all the exercises of the 
day the spirit of the Lord has seemed to overshadow the 
sanctuary. Humble confessions, with many tears, have 



220 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

been poured forth from professing Christians. At the 
close of the sermon to-night quite a number rose to be 
prayed for. May we not expect glorious things at the 
hand of our God? There is a large body of snow on the 
ground; sleighs come loaded to meeting with people from 
every direction, which seems very singular at this season 
of the year, but our " God that rules on high, and thun- 
ders when He please," he rolls the seasons round and 
will overrule all things right. 

Tuesday evening, nth. I know not when the Lord 
will permit us to return home. There is a great work to 
be done here. The meeting is increasingly interesting; 
there have been conversions daily, and to-day quite a 
goodly number have come out on the Lord's side, for 
which we thank God. Elder C. closed his meeting last 
Sabbath. The work is moving on here. People come 
to meeting on wheels and sleighs also. The meeting 
with the children has been very interesting every day 
since it began. The people in Adams are waiting impa- 
tiently for pa to commence there. Their minister was 
after him yesterday, wishing to commence immediately. 
Hope the Lord will direct in all the way. The meeting 
continues here; the work, however, moves slowly. The 
churches were in a different state than what was sup- 
posed — many hindrances and obstacles in the way to 
impede the progress of this blessed work. There has 
been no open opposition from the wicked, but rather a 
disposition to linger around and listen. The lack has 
been altogether on the part of Zion, and a general back- 
sliding equal to any place of our acquaintance, and an 
inclination to cover it up and smother it, rather than 
confess and forsake it, such as never was seen in any 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 221 

other locality. This has been one great hindrance. If 
they could only come as impenitent sinners they would 
be willing, but to confess any former pretensions to re- 
ligion — then be called backsliders ! — it was so humiliating 
and vexing that many detested the thought of it; even 
some members of the church yet remain in the same 
plight. Another great hindrance, and which ever gives 
the death blow to the work of God. For about ten days 
before the Baptists closed their meeting there was but 
little else done but to urge individuals into the water; 
consequently it would be the prevailing talk, and so the 

April 20. spirit of God was awfully grieved away. 

BellevUie, This has happily subsided, in some meas- 
ure at least. When will men learn not to pursue such a 
course of wrong? 

Some interest manifested in meeting to-day, and many 
professors of religion just begin to think that God is 
going to do a great work in B — . Now, " God is the 
same yesterday, to-day and forever " He is always ready 
to pour out His rich blessings, and He would never with- 
hold it if His people were always ready to receive it, and 
just in proportion as they open the avenues to receive, 
so He pours in the blessing. What a striking providence 
in the death of Brother A— S— . May it be overruled 
for the good of the Zion of God in S. S. Truly the 
church is called upon loudly to " work while the day 
lasts." May not some mercy drops fall on that place 
yet, while the genial showers of divine grace are visiting 
multitudes of other places all around. The meeting in 
Belleville closed Sabbath night or rather Monday morning ; 
considering all things it was a very profitable season. 
If it could have continued two or three weeks longer, 



222 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

obstacles would have continued to be removed, and the 
results would have been many more conversions. 
About eighty took their seats and gave their names as 
subjects of the work. On acount of the badness of the 
roads, quite a number of the converts were not present. 
Dr. H's family shared in the work, Left the kind and 
dear family that afternoon and came to Adams, Tuesday 
evening; preached to a very large audience Wednesday. 
Adams, Not as many out during the day. Fri., pros- 
April 26. pects yesterday more encouraging. Many 
are expecting to see great things ; should their expecta- 
tions be founded on a right source, no doubt they 
will realize their anticipations, especially if they act ac- 
cordingly. No meeting at the church this morning, but 
we have had an interesting prayer meeting around the 
May family altar, at the house of Mr. D. Here a 
1st. young woman commenced a praying life, and a 
young man came out last night and prayed with us at 
the family devotions. The work is moving on in this 
place. Some fears of relaxation of responsibility on 
the part of some, while others are coming in more 
readily. There is a great work to be done here, and un- 
foreseen obstacles do, and will appear. But God is 
able and willing to accomplish and triumph over all. 
Yesterday was a Sabbath of much interest. People 
from Rutland, Rodman, Belleville, and Woodville, here 
at meeting. We do not forget our dear children and 
friends at home, but morning and night commit them to 
our heavenly Father's care. Shall write soon again. 
Love to all, 

Yours affectionately, 

L. A. AND C. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 223 

Adams, May 9, 1843. 
An extract. Sabbath afternoon, the people voted 
to have the meeting continued and all say he must 
not leave now. There are conversions, some very in- 
teresting cases, among the first class of young gentle- 
men and ladies. The Lord is evidently with his Holy 
Spirit like a cloud of mercy hovering over this place. But 
the season of the year among farmers especially, and 
other reasons, occasion the movement of this work to be 
gradual. The work of the Lord has taken a new impulse 
and it has been remarked by individuals that this place 
has not seen such a time since the revival when the Rev. 
Mr. Finney and Mr. Parker were converted. Religion is 
the general topic of conversation throughout the commu- 
nity. Yesterday there was a full, attentive and a solemn 
congregation, and a unanimous vote by all to have the 
meeting still go on. Many express the conviction that 
seems to be deeply impressed on their minds that this is 
the last call they shall ever have, and truly it does appear 
to be a time of momentous interest to many, not to say 
of awful consequences for time and eternity. A young 
lady from Washingtonville who was converted last week 
called this morning to say farewell; she returns home to- 
day, and another from Western. A young man from 
Henderson has become hopefully pious. Some friends 
from Rodman and Belleville have been here considerably. 
There are three or four churches in Ellisburg destitute of 
any minister and they are trying to unite all their energies 
to see if they cannot get help and a protracted effort. 
The church in North Adams have sent a special request 
to have a meeting commence there next week or as soon 
as possible. Thus calls for labor continually multiply. 



22^ LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

May the Lord teach what duty is and give a willing mind 
to perform it in the fear of the Lord in all meekness, trust- 
ing Him as to results, so that these "trials" may work 
patience, and patience experience, experience hope, and 
hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is 
shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost given, and 
may it be abundant, especially at this time. At a 
season of prayer before preaching, the Lord appeared by 
His Holy Spirit and it has been a precious season. One 
old man melted down like a little child and prayed, an- 
other a young man who had passed through a glorious 
work at Lockport, the account of which was published in 
the Evangelist, arose and begged for prayer, bowed down 
and prayed. After the season of prayer he arose and 
told his determination to serve God. Other cases might 
be mentioned. Soon the bell rang for preaching ; there 
was then a deep and fixed attention followed by earnest 
prayer which is always followed with glorious results. 
Pray much for this place. As ever yours. C. 



Stows Square, June 2, 1843. 

Dear PARENTS: — After an absence of four months 
I am once more seated with my little family in our 
own hired rooms, and enjoying comparatively good 
health. You will recollect the village of Adams (the first 
village you came to on the second day of your visit with 
Uncle to our house.) A pleasant village. I spent 
rising of four weeks there after the close of the meetings 
at Belleville. The Lord has been with us and His mercy 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 225 

has been over us. Many have bowed to the sceptre of 
His love, and the church has been brought to consecrate 
themselves to the service of God anew. I cannot say- 
how many became the subjects of renewed, grace, but 
somewhere over one hundred and fifty hopeful conver- 
sions. The aged and the young of all classes were among 
the subjects of the work. Especially among the youth 
of the first class work was most effectual, while there 
were several persons of seventy years old. To God be all 
the glory and the honor. For to Him it is due. "Shall the 
saw boast itself above him that shaketh it ? " The meet- 
ing at Belleville was owned and blessed of the Lord. The 
more I see of my own vile heart the more I feel that it is 
only the abounding grace of God that does attend the 
efforts of one so vile. I shall probably leave in a few 
more days again for Jefferson county. I want the Lord 
to guide me in the path of rectitude. My greatest desire 
is to see my children serving the Lord in their early days, 
and to be encircled in His arms when parents shall be no 
more. They have no preaching now on the Square. 
There is rather an unpleasant state of feeling in the church 
about the choir, all of it I feel is the production of back- 
sliding from God. He has said such shall be filled with 
their own ways. Remember us to all and all join in love 
to all. Let us lay aside every weight that may impede 
our progress in the divine life. Pray much for me, es- 
pecially that the Lord will direct my path. In haste. 
Your Affectionate Son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



MEETING AT MANSVILLE. 




Mansville, Oct. 3, 1843. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: — 

OU will perceive by the date of this that I have at 
last reached the destined place for which I left 
you. There was nothing particular took place 
on my journey. I did not make any call until I reached 
Dea. Dodge's, at Sandy Creek, a few miles above Rodman, 
where I found him enjoying much of the presence of God. 
And praying that God would guide me, I called at Rod- 
man, and found most of the friends very well. Some had 
gone to eternity. One of the young converts, a hopeful 
subject of the work of grace, had lived a consistent and 
devoted Christian, was drowned; the other was not a Chris- 
tian (oh, sad end !) Another man who had become a Chris- 
tian during the meeting had gone to the grave. He died 
in the triumph of faith. He was an Englishman who came 
to mill during the meeting and was attracted to the house 
by the throng and had not heard preaching before for a 
long time, and on the spot, he hopefully gave all to Christ, 
and had lived faithfully and his end was triumphant. To 
God be all the glory. Another had also gone to the tomb. 
He also died in the Lord. I arrived at Adams about 4 

226 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 227 

o'clock, p. m. Received a hearty welcome from many. 
After considerable consultation concluded to stay over 
the Sabbath. I visited most of the day with Br. Kirk, 
the pastor. Preached on Saturday evening and twice on 
the Sabbath and assisted in administering the Lord's 
supper; four united with the church. One young man 
by the name of H., who attended the meeting and who 
had been the subject of prayer, but who resisted all that 
could be done, was killed by a pitch-fork falling from a 
load of hay and penetrating the heart. An affliction to a 
widowed mother and a warning to others. They were 
very anxious I should tarry with them, and if not, to re- 
turn and spend a few weeks there. The prospect of 
things is quite favorable in this place. I arrived in M. 
about 5 o'clock last evening, and was welcomed by Dea. 
Man to his hospitable mansion. The state of things is 
such that it is doubtful whether I shall stay here and hold 
a meeting. To hear the members of the church talk last 
evening, as I visited a few, I felt a mingled emotion of 
pity and diversion. They were so afraid of what would 
be the consequence of the meeting, etc., etc., but friends 
are quite anxious I should make a stop here all around. 
May the Lord's will be done is my greatest desire. I feel 
the need of much prayer that God will direct me in the 
path of duty. I must go out and visit the church. 
Nov. 17th. Thus far I wrote some three weeks ago and 
I have not had time to write any more. I have been 
alone nearly all the time as to ministerial help. I do 
not get to rest until twelve and one o'clock at night. 
The prospects are very favorable now, though of all the 
places which I have been in this exceeds all. You cannot 
describe or form any idea of the extent of the wickedness. 



228 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

There are a very few families that are very fine people, but 
the state of society around is very peculiar. They have 
exerted themselves (the wicked) to the utmost to grieve 
away the Lord. They have tried to keep up balls in the 
place every week or nearly so since I came here. They 
ransacked the whole region from Pulaski to Sacketts Harbor 
a distance of 40 miles or more, and they get a very large 
company together and they act as much like the devil as 
possible. At one ball they wrote a notice of my being 
here, styling me as the authorized agent of the Hell Fire 
Insurance Company, and put the accompanying notice 
upon the church. 

"HELL FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE! 

"Mr. Wicks wood inform the ladis and children of 
Mannsville and vasinity that he will insure soles agains 
the fires of hell as chep as any other Pope or Pries. He 
holds his office at the meeting hous in sd place whare 
thos who wish to be insureed must attend and obey his 
mandates and sue down all he ses, say all he doos is 
Avright he will say with us six or eight weks if he is well 
fed and paid and you spend your hull time in hearing his 
slang and expoits but is you do net he will leave you and 
you may go to hell and bedamd." 

But God has turned it upon their own heads. It only 
had the effect to bring out more. Several of the ball 
characters have been brought to bow at the Savior's feet. 
To God be all the glory given. But God has been in- 
sulted by the vile. The language which has been used 
by some persons here to drive out the work of God from 
this place I will not repeat. But one man called upon 
God to damn his soul if he did not put a stop to this 



LEWIS ALFRED AVICKES. 229 

meeting. He has labored as hard as he could together 
with some other of kindred spirits. Night before last 
while I was preaching I got about half through when the 
cry of fire ! fire ! was heard, and the church was soon 
emptied and we were all found trying to save property 
from being destroyed. It was a wagon maker's shop in 
which the wicked wretch worked who was going to break 
up the meeting and by the sad accident he was turned out 
of the place. May God have mercy on him and show him 
his vile course and bring him to repentance. 

Among all the other difficulties, we have been nearly 
broken up four times in meeting by the cry of fire. And 
in each time it was the work of an incendiary. Once 
they set the church on fire where the Millerites worship, but 
it was extinguished after burning the stairs down. There 
has been the alarm of fire five times since I have been 
here. You can scarce form any idea of the awful wick- 
edness of this place. It is a real nest of backsliders and 
old hopers. I know God will appear for His own glory 
and honor. 

And also, I find my heart needs to be guarded in 
order to keep from rejoicing in the overthrow of the wick- 
ed and their plans. I want to lie humble at Jesus' feet 
and cause His blessing to flow over my soul. To-night, 
God willing, 1 finish what was left of the sermon on Uni- 
versalism which I did not finish at the time of the fire. 
And may God direct me in the path of love and wisdom. 

I must now stop; my room begins to be thronged again. 

I I o'clock, after meeting. Some good has been done to- 
day, and I hope the Lord is on the giving hand. Oh, for 
more of His spirit to reign in my soul. There have been 
some fifteen or twenty family altars erected and a host of 



230 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

backsliders have been reclaimed. Some cases of conver- 
sions that have astonished the most incredulous, and the 
work seems to have only begun. To-day one man sixty- 
five years old was hopefully converted. To God be all 
the glory given. Friends and some individuals who were 
interested in this place from A. have been here at differ- 
ent times, made confession to the church and entered into 
the work and gone home with joyful hearts. As there is 
no pastor in this church the people here are very anxious 
I should remain here. Four men have made large offers 
and they think a remunerative amount will be made if I 
would only say the word. But as yet I do not see my 
way clear. The Lord has led us in a way we know not. 
I desire to be obedient to His will, but let us ask and 
obey His answer. What He means to do with us is not 
for us to know. May we trust His promises and pray for 
His hand to lead. What debtors to grace we have been? 
And through riches of free grace may we triumph. 
How does your soul prosper? Does your faith look up to 
God so as to feel God will still work in this place? Hold 
on upon the Lord's arm. I cannot say when I shall be 
home but I now think in a few days. If the Lord will, 
a week from next Tuesday. My health is better than I 
expected it would have been when I left home, though 
quite hoarse, yet not as hoarse as before I closed at 
Adams. Kiss the children for me and pray for 
Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



\ 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 231 

Mansville, Oct. 10, 1843. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

Your kind letter came to hand. Ir did my heart good 
to see the marks of your pen. Since I wrote I have vis- 
ited nearly all the members of the church in this place 
and you can scarcely make any calculation about the 
state of the church. As to individual or social duties as 
Christians, secret, family and social, — yes political duties 
are very- much neglected. I have been here a little over a 
week and have heard only two females open their mouth 
in prayer. There are some who feel quite deeply, but 
cannot say anything for God. They have a great deal of 
— what shall I call it? Modesty!! Shame would be 
much more appropriate. To-day is the first day I have 
had meeting in the day time ; some out, and some feeling, 
I never felt in my life as though I was staying where I 
was not wanted as I do here, and yet feel as though it 
was duty not to leave. But what the final issue will be, 
I cannot say. There is some moving on the waters. 
They seem to be afraid that I shall leave them, which 
they cannot bear to think of, yet seem to be sorry that I 
came when I did ; but the Lord means it for good. 

October nth. Yesterday my leisure moments were 
so much occupied with reading " Luther at the Diet of 
Worms," that I did not take time to write any. There 
was a funeral here; the daughter of a widow woman 
member of the Baptist church. Sermon by the Baptist 
Elder from, " Cast thy burden on the Lord and He will 
sustain thee:" He talked very well. At the close of 
the exercise the widow rose and addressed the congrega- 
tion herself, in a feeling manner, and confessing her sin in 



232 



FIFE AND LETTERS OF 



not doing her duty, and warning parents against pursuing 
the same course of neglect. I hope and pray it may have 
some effect. Last evening I preached from 2 Chron. /: 
14. "If My people which are called by My name shall 
humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and 
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from 
heaven,-and will forgive their sins and will heal their land." 
And I should think something like thirty or forty per- 
sons came forward for prayers, and humbly bowed 
together, confessing their sins, and entering into a cove- 
nant with their God and one another to return to duty 
and serve the Lord. There was something of a melting 
time. After returning to my boarding place (Dr. K.), in 
the same house with Deacon M., we had another. The 
Doctor went the rounds, confessing to all; and a good 
deal of real feeling and brokenness of heart. I do pray 
God it may be a blessing to all — that from this hour 
there may be a consecration to God as there never was 
in this place. Yesterday afternoon there was some feel- 
ing; more than there has hitherto been. Some females 
got their mouths open in confession that never before 
were heard to say a word in meeting, and last evening a 
pretty good congregation ou-t. I preached on "Jericho 
walls falling," and after meeting I was told that the great 
Dr. K., of H — Seminary, was present, and I felt that it 
was rather poor food for such a man : But after all I 
did not come here to preach to him; though I believe if 
I had known he had been present, I should have given 
him a portion. But perhaps the Lord will give him what 
is much better. Last Friday I went to Woodville to 
preach the funeral sermon of Miss L. B. She hopefully 
experienced religion at the meeting in W. last winter. 



LEWIS ALFRED VVICKES. 233 

She left a pleasing evidence that she had gone to rest in 
the bosom of love. Thus the Lord is taking away one 
and another of those who, in connection with my labors 
have bowed at the feet of the Lord. Yet it is a source 
of solemn reflection to me, that they have gone to test 
the grounds of their hope in Christ, lest I should have 
given them any reason to trust to a false hope. May the 
Lord forbid I ever should, and keep me from doing so 
great evil! O! what responsibility is attached to the 
gospel ministry. The more I reflect on it, the more I 
feel unfit for it. You spoke of converting the children 
etc. ; I hope God will enable you to do it, and bless your 
labors; and that they may be (are) the true children of 
God. It is the great desire of my heart to have them 
love and honor God. I have just this moment had a call 
from Dr. K., and had a pleasant interview. He is affable, 
affectionate and agreeable in his manners, making himself 
at home, and those with whom he converses to feel at 
home with him. His topics of conversation are familiar 
and easy — none of that distance and ostentation which 
is often found in persons looked up to as a great one. 
I felt conscious of being in the presence of my superior 
and yet he made me feel at home. Thus may we feel 
when w r e come into the presence of our heavenly Father 
who cares for us. The Doctor is a tall man, like Mr. D. 
long favored, hair gray and braided over a bald spot on 
the top of his head. Nothing very remarkable as to his 
phrenological developments. People look at great men 
with much curiosity, but after all they are nothing but, 
flesh and bones, with an accountable soul like all others. 
I must hasten to a close. I board in Dr. Kinney's family. 
There are five children. A daughter Julia makes me 
IS 



234 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

think of sister J.; another, Sarah, which reminds me of my 
little daughter S. It is a fine family. They read the 
Bible with their father at family devotion, and are very 
attentive. May the Lord bless them and my own little 
family, is the prayer of, 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 




CHAPTER XVIII. 



MEETINGS AT HUVELTON, WEST POTS- 
DAM, MADRID AND WADDINGTON. 




Huvelton, Jan. 15, 1 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife; 



OU will perceive by this that I am now in H. I 
arrived here on Wednesday eve., and on Thurs- 
day I preached the dedication sermon to a 
house full, from Micah. 4 : 2-3 ; and not much of a sermon 
it was, either. But we had a real pleasant time of it, and 
the Lord was in the midst of us. They have a very 
good man, and one who does take delight in doing good, 
and I think will be a blessing to the people. At the 
close of the exercise they plead with me to. stay and 
preach in the evening. I finally consented, and they 
begged I would stay till after the Sabbath, as it was 
communion with them, and hold meetings Friday and 
Saturday. On the Sabbath they put the vote to request 
me to stay a few days, when there was a unanimous vote 
by the whole congregation, to have me stay. The house 
was literally crammed full, and many loaded teams were 
unable to get in. But what duty is, I cannot say. There 

235 



-36 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

seems to be an appearance of good here. There have 
been one or two conversions already — Mrs. G.'s mother 
one. Nine united with the church on Sabbath : two old 
men rising of seventy years. . I shall determine in a day 
or two what duty is and act accordingly. The day I left 
I saw the people in Denmark, and left an appointment 
for a meeting to commence next week, on Tuesday eve. 
if the Lord will. When I arrived at Antwerp they were 
just relating over the scenes of Mrs. Church's funeral, 
which had just taken place that day. She died in the 
triumph of faith: il Precious in the sight of the Lord is 
the death of His saints ! " But let us be humble, and 
show to the world that God can and will dwell with us 
as long as we will dwell with Him. I feel for the church 
of God in S. S. O ! that God will dwell in the hearts of 
men and cause them to see where they are. 

I have but a short time to write a few lines to let you 
know where I am. The church and people hold on to me 

Huvelton, very strong, and the Lord is truly in the 
Jan. 24, 1844. midst of us. The word of the Lord has got 
among the old country people, and a goodly number 
have hopefully given themselves to the Lord. There 
have been somewhere between twenty and thirty hopeful 
conversions, and some quite interesting cases. To God 
be all the glory and the honor ! Most of them are heads 
of families, and some are advanced in life. And such is 
the state of things here that I wrote to Denmark to have 
them postpone their meeting for a few days ; and since 
writing them I have been earnestly requested to go to 
West Potsdam. The state of society and the feeling is 
such that I have written again to Denmark to say whether 
they will give way for that object : i. e., for me to go to 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 237 

Potsdam first. If they consent to that I shall go; if not, 
I think I shall be at Denmark next week I hardly know 
what duty is. 

O ! that I might do what will be pleasing to Him. 
The vineyard is all one, and though it may be in the dif- 
ferent portions of God's vinevard, yet it is all His, and 
all for His glory and His cause. Keep humble, and live 
low at the foot of the cross. Pray for me. 

Yours, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Huvelton, Jan. 29, 1844. 

Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

Since I wrote you, I have seen the salvation of 
the Lord. Several have, as we trust, bowed at the 
foot of the cross. Mostly among the old country 
people. Those who, when I was here before, were stand- 
ing aloof, have many of them been brought to see their 
need of a Saviour, and we trust have given themselves to 
the Lord. And the work seems to be spreading and 
deepening. I did intend to close up my labors here yes- 
terday, but by the earnest solicitude of friends I stay a 
few days longer, how long I cannot say. I have written 
to Denmark to postpone that meeting until after I go to 
W T est Potsdam. I think that it will be best to go there be- 
fore returning home, if my health and comfort of my family 
will allow. I have taken a severe cold and my voice is 
becoming as it was at Rodman, last winter, though not 
as hard a cough as then, yet I think prudence is becoming 



238 FIFE AND LETTERS OF 

me. If I find that it increases on me I shall stop at once. 
May the Lord direct. I have received pressing calls from 
Madrid and Lorain. In both cases they want me imme- 
diately, and so I shall not think of going to either of them 
until after I have been to the other places. As the peo- 
ple of Madrid waited so long before they concluded to 
have a meeting, I do not at present think I can go. But 
in this let us ask counsel of the Lord. The Lord is still 
in the midst of this people though things drag some and 
there are many obstacles in the way, yet there is still a 
slow move and nearly every day souls are coming to 
Christ. The work has been among the old country 
people while some others have bowed at the foot of 
the cross. To God be all the glory and the honor. Half 
past eleven, P. M. I have just returned from meeting. 
The Lord was in the midst of us. Text, Mai. 3:181 
"Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous 
and the wicked, between him that serveth God and 
him that serveth Him not." Some fifty forward for 
prayer. Some of the first ones of the place. Many 
professed to have given themselves to the Lord, and 
I do hope that God will draw the hearts of all to 
Him. But, oh ! how little faith there is in the promises 
of God. Why is it that God's people have no more of 
the love for souls in them ? If they would only go to 
the fountain head they would get their hope in the Lord 
strengthened, and' then might exercise more confidence in 
his promises, and hence, as a matter of course, they would 
see more abundantly the displays of His power. I feel 
daily the need of more faith in the Lord, and I sometimes 
have felt that I could hardly say that I had any faith in 
the Lord, yet I cannot say so, because I do believe that 



LEWIS ALFKED WICKES. 239 

as unworthy as I am, God has heard my prayer, and I 
will give Him glory and honor. And Oh, that I might 
ever so live as to feel that Christ would ever hear me. 

Feb. i . The stage is coming, I must mail this. Write 
next week to Potsdam. 

Love to all. 

L. A. WICKES. 



West Potsdam, February i, 1844. 
My Dear Wife : 

You will perceive by this where I am. I closed the 
series of meetings at Huvelton on the Sabbath (4th), and 
the Lord was in the midst of us. The house was so 
jammed that we could not get the converts together. I 
cannot say with any accuracy what the numbers of con- 
versions have been, but I should think not to exceed 
some fifty or sixty; and a large number of these were 
among the old country people. To God be all the glory 
given ! I find many of our friends passing away; and so 
we- are all fast going to the Lord : Well, welcome the 
hour ! But let us be on the watch whenever our Lord 
shall come. I have, of late, had much delight in reading 
the 2 1st and 2 2d of Rev., especially the sixth and seventh 
verses of the 21st chapter. These are promises which 
are so glorious and blessed ! " I will give unto him that is 
athirst," etc. Let but our souls take hold of that prom- 
ise, and all is well; and what He gives us will be for the 
glory of God. Freely He will bestow upon us the waters 
from the fountain of life, which is Christ, Himself, pur- 



240 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

chased by His own blood and at His own suffering. 
Such love — how great ! Such blessing — how dearly 
purchased ! O, that such love may be enough to draw 
our hearts to Him ! "All things. " Oh, how rich are the 
children of God; made so by the benevolence of the Lord 
of glory. And am I one that the Lord has bestowed 
such great favors upon ? May I live at the feet of my 
excellent Lord ! So also the description of the abode of 
the blessed, who are made partakers of His grace, from 
the 9th verse of the same chapter. No wonder that Paul 
said it would not be lawful to speak of it. O, what joy ! 
May my own little family have a mansion there ? 

I arrived here last evening. They have rather a small 
house, and it was pretty well filled. There is evidently 
some feeling on the subject of religion ; there have been a 
few souls hopefully born into the kingdom of Christ, and 
some are quite serious; and the church have some little 
feeling on the subject. I have visited among their neigh- 
bors, and I am in hopes that something may be done 
which will tell on the annals of eternity. The name ot 
their preacher is Rowley; a young man, but I think a de- 
voted, pious man, and a laborious and faithful minister, 
or rather licentiate. He will do them good. The Meth- 
odist minister is a brother of Bro. K., and a pretty good 
man, and they have a Freewill Baptist minister here that 
they say will lie; and so, of course, they are unwilling to 
have him do anything in the meeting. O, that ministers 
would ever live before their God as becometh the ambas- 
sadors of the Lord Jesus Christ ! May the Lord bring 
all things right ! The meeting this afternoon was pretty 
well attended, and some feeling. May the Lord increase 
it more and more, and may God help, to-night, by over- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 241 

shadowing this place with His cloud of mercy, and may 
the presence of His spirit visit every heart, and an altar 
be erected in every house, for His name's sake. Pray 
much for me. 

As ever, yours, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Here the churches unanimously adopted the following 
confession : 

* We, the members of the different evangelical churches 
in W 7 est Potsdam, feel called upon to testify before our 
impenitent friends here present, the solemn dealings of 
God with us during the day now past. 

We have set apart this day to mourn, and fast, and 
pray, and search our own hearts, and inquire why so little 
Feb. 1844. blessing attends our present labors for the 
The confession souls of our dear, impenitent friends. W T e 
of all the trust it has not been in vain, but that the 
evangelical Holy Spirit has shown us that great wick- 
churches, edness still remains in our hearts and in our 
A revival churches. Many of the members of these 
followed. churches have voluntarily come forward and 
confessed in the public assembly their personal difficulties 
with other members, especially such as have involved 
unhappy feeling between different denominations. We 
believe that the Lord Jesus has but one Bride, and that 
there is but one household of the faith, and that every 
action, every word, and even every thought which tends 
to alienate the brotherhood and produce denominational 

* Members from all the churches came forward and knelt in the aisle 
of the church while the consecrating prayer was being made. 



242 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

dissensions, is wounding the body of the Savior. We do 
not expect the work of salvation to go forward while we 
remain liable to the imputation of loving our party names 
better than we love the one glorious cause of the Lord 
Jesus. 

This day has shown to us deep and awful sins 
against the law of brotherly love, far exceeding anything 
we were before aware of, and we have together mourned 
over them, and, we trust, repented of them, and confessed 
them to one another, and on our bended knees, confess 
them before God. 

Brothers and sisters who have mutually indulged 
hard, acrimonious feelings, have obtained from each other 
full pardon, and united their petitions for pardon from on 
Confession, high. Members of the different churches 
February, 1844. have extended to each other the hand and 
heart of love, and we hope that some of the scandalous 
obstacles which have impeded the cause of salvation will 
now be removed, and a way be cast up over which the 
chariot of the Holy Ghost may roll in triumph. 

But we have yet one more duty to perform, and we 
now come forward in this solemn and public manner and 
humble ourselves before our impenitent neighbors and 
friends. 

Although we do not find that each of our number is 
guilty of all the sins which have been named, yet, as a 
congregation of believers, we come mournfully before you 
and confess our sins. O ! it is the most bitter part of 
our remorse to reflect that our obstinate attachment to 
our own self will and party feelings has stood between 
our souls and salvation. We confess to you that we 
have brought a blemish upon the cause of the Redeemer, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 243 

and that those cruel alienations which have now come to 
light, have had the effect to ruin souls. 

While we cannot admit that any of our faults have 
justified you in remaining a single moment in your im- 
penitency, we fear they have been the occasion of it. We 
have been to the Savior for pardon, and we now come to 
you and beseech you to forgive. 

And now, dearly beloved friends, having relieved our 

souls by this united confession to you, though deeply 

February, 1 844.unworthy, we cannot refrain from offering 

Confession when our united entreaty that you would come 

Rev. Mr. Wickes to our dear Savior's feet. Wicked as we 

held a meeting are, still our souls are pained by your im- 

in that place, penitency. As neighbors and friends, we 

have found you kind and amiable, but our hearts bleed 

for the perils which hang over you. We long to see you 

on the march towards the heavenly world. We have 

prayed for it, and we shall continue to pray for it. May 

you and we together become fellow Christians on earth, 

and dwellers together in heavenly light ! 



Madrid, Columbia Village, March 16, 1844. 
My Dear Wife : 

You will perceive by this that I am at the place 
of battle. I had a very tedious journey, calling on 
friends at various places on the way. It was neither 
sleighing nor wagoning, and two or three times came 
near turning over. But the good hand of the Lord was 
over us and kept us from falling. And I found myself 
very much fatigued and worn out, but commenced the 
meeting here on Thursday evening. A pretty good con- 



244 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

gregation out and very good attention, but there is a 
good deal of rubbish to be removed out of the way. Yet 
I do think there may be much good done in the name of 
the Lord. But it is a hard place and nothing but the 
power of God will accomplish anything here. And now 
do pray for me here and for this place. The Lord is alone 
our helper and God has helped us in days past and if we 
will only look to Him and lie at His feet, and not having 
any of the things of this world to shut out our prayers 
from Him and thus lose sight of the great work before 
us. An extract, March 21, respecting the work of the 
Lord in Columbia Village. 

March 21, The Lord is with us here. Much to be done 
1844. tj ia |. j s not y e {. done. Some have made a conse- 
cration of themselves to Christ, we hope, but I pray God 
it may be increased an hundred fold. Br. W. has got 
where he never was before. He says he never took so 
great delight in serving God before, and can bless God 
for what He has wrought in his own souk I rejoice to 
see it, and I do pray that I may possess more and still 
more of the spirit of my Lord and Master. 
Another May. The meeting at Columbia Village, Madrid, 
extract re- was a \ on cr one. It is a very hard and obstinate 

specting ° J 

Columbia place, but the Lord has done indeed great things 
May about ^ or tnem - ^ nas made a shaking among the 
the 20. Universalists and infidels of every class. There 
were something like one hundred hopeful conversions. 
Among them were merchants, doctors, mechanics, teach- 
ers of music, farmers, etc., and the work seems to move 
forward yet. To God be all the glory and the honor for 
it is due to Him. Truly the Lord is good to those who 
will trust Him and labor for the souls of men. I have 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 245 

often thought that nothing would separate me from my 
family, but a cause so glorious as this. But while I do 
love my family I do love the cause of Christ more. May 
the Lord smile upon you all. Love to all. 

As ever, your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



WADDINGTON, May 20, 1 844. 

My Dear and Affectionate Parents : 

Your kind letter I received while I was in Madrid. It is 
one of the greatest sources of delight to me to sit down and 
have my mother talk to me, and I guess it would be so if 
father would talk. I sometimes think I love my parents 
more than the other children do, but perhaps such is the 
feeling of each of us. I hope it is, for God has command- 
ed us to honor father and mother, etc., and may they ever 
be honored. I have been in this place since the first of 
the month. The Lord is in the midst of the people, and 
opposition has been raised and kept up. Husbands 
forbidding wives going to meeting and parents forbidding 
children. One man the other day told his wife with oaths 
and curses, that if she did not come home (as she was 
conversing with me at his sister's) he would horsewhip 
her ! ! All he wanted, he said, was to break one club on 
my head, and yet they are on the way to heaven, all of 
them!!! There is an unprecedented ignorance among 
those who pretend to know a good deal. The Episcopal 
church have had the moulding of the face of society here. 
And more ungodly influence there could not scarcely 
have been exerted. For their iniquity is covered up un- 
der the mask of the religion of Christ, and so the Christian 



246 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

religion has been brought into disrepute. Whereas, if it 
had been under the name of irreligion that these things 
had been done, they would not have had so baneful an 
influence. Some young men the other day, wanted to 
know why it was that Christ died, after hearing a sermon 
on the suffering and death of Christ. And they were 
young men twenty and twenty-three years of age. So 
had their eyes been blinded by the course of instruction 
which had been taught there. Universalism has a strong 
hold here and many of them are most vile and sinful ; but 
I trust there is a redeeming power to save this wicked 
place. How long I may remain here I cannot say, but I 
have attended^meeting every day since the 4th of March, 
and preached every day but one. To God be all the 
glory given. Truly I am a great debtor to God for all 
His kindness to me and the constitution which He has 
given me. How much we do need an humble and quiet 
spirit to lead us in the path of light and love. May the 
Lord smile upon you in your declining years, is the sin- 
cere prayer of 

Your affectionate son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



OHAPTEE XIX. 



SECOND MEETING AT MASSENA AND AT 
CHATEAUGAY. 



Massena, Jan. 23, 1845, 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 




Y this you will see that I have got back to the 
old place of our first visit to this part of the 

county. It has been with a great degree of reluc- 
tance that I have come here. Still it may be for the best. 
But the abominations which are practiced — and in this 
part of the county — are awful ! The Millerite excite- 
ment has been like the locust of Egypt — has eaten up 
every thing that is lovely and kind. Here is a part of 
the holy band ; also a community who, under the mask of 
religion, have their spiritual wives. They are now divided 
into two parties, and each have their minister and leader. 
The Episcopal and Weslyan Methodists each- have classes 
and ministers. They are not agreed. The regular Bap- 
tists have also a church and a good minister, Elder G. 
His three daughters were hopefully converted at West S. 
They have two Universalist ministers here ; one keeps a 
rum-hole of a tavern ; the other is the one who wrote me 

247 



248 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

a line at N. that I answered publicly, before the church. 
The Congregationalists have a small church; they are old 
and dead in comparison. They have a small, neat, brick 
edifice and might live, indeed, if they would. They now 
have two singing schools in the place; one dancing school; 
Universalist preaching every other Sabbath. And the 
wicked and ungodly are made so hard by such a motley 
mess that hope looks very dark, indeed, of doing much 
good. I can tell in a few days what prospects will be. 
But now let us lie humble before the mercy seat ; and 
may we so live and act that God will smile upon us. I 
closed the meeting at East Stockholm on the Sabbath, 
the 29th, with a very good state of feeling. They wanted 
the meeting to continue, but I could not stay. Left my 
sleigh there, or rather at Brasier Falls; made several calls 
on the way. Mr. B's little daughter is now poorer than 
ever. She truly is a sufferer, though she bears it with 
Christian resignation. I saw Mr. R., from Waddington. 
He appears quite well, and seemed to feel much for the 
souls of his neighbors Truly, how good the Lord is ! 
And may we ever be found at the feet of Jesus, to adore 
and honor Him, and take a course that will advance His 
cause, and which will secure His approbation, and that 
our God shall not be evil spoken of. I find some feeling 
here among the impenitent, which is of an inquiring- 
nature; still they are much prejudiced against the Chris- 
tian religion, from the horrid actions of the professed 
friends of it. Let us watch and pray, and cast all on His 
arm. And may God smile upon us, and prosper His own 
work ! Love to all. 

Your husband, as ever, 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 2 -A 9 

MASSENA, February 17, 1845. 
My Dear Wife: 

When I last wrote you I could not tell what I should 
do about staying at this place another week, but such is 
the interesting state of things here, that there is not much 
doubt that I shall remain here during this week, so that 
the calls are so pressing from Chateaugay that I probably 
shall not return home until after I have been there. And 
it may be some time in April before I can get around. 
The Lord's will be done! And I will inquire for His 
will. The Lord is with us, we hope. Nearly every day 
for ten days past there have been more or less that have 
bowed at the foot of the cross. Two of N. P. sisters 
have been hopefully converted, and two or three of her 
cousins. Last evening (Sabbath ) there were about sev- 
enty forward for prayers, and a majority professed sub- 
mission to God, and the work is deepening every day, 
and obstacles are giving away before the chariot of the 
Lord. O ! may heaven ride forth from conquering to 
conquest, until all bow at the foot of the cross of 
Christ. But to accomplish this a great deal has got to 
be done. The Lord owns and blesses suitable means, 
and may His people all be willing in the day of His 
power. Pray much. Write, without fail, immediately. 
As ever, your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Chateaugay, Franklin Co., March 14, 1845. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

I had a very tedious journey; made some calls; found 
friends generally well. I arrived at East S. in season to 
16 



250 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

attend the young peoples' meeting on Tuesday evening. 
Wednesday I fixed my wagon, preached in the evening, 
and Thursday started for this county. I am in sight of 
Lower Canada and the St. Lawrence River. I reached 
here about half past six in the evening, tired, pain in my 
breast and arm, and faint hearted, and half wished that I 
was at home. I found Bro. M. waiting for me with many 
fears and many sorrows that I had not come, but was 
very much relieved by my presence. I board with a Mr. 
H. He is a Presbyterian; his wife a Baptist; his sister 
Episcopalian ; the hired girl a Catholic. No family wor- 
ship until now ; nor is there an altar to the name of the 
Lord to be seen or found in the whole place. The first 
evening there were some sixty persons present, and 
while preaching, a man cried out at the height of his 
voice, " O, Lord ! ! " He is a crazy man. They have a 
meeting house about thirty-six by fifty, two stories high, 
and will seat about five hundred persons. But the state 
of society is most wretched and vile. Yesterday we had 
meeting in the afternoon and evening. 

March 15th. Fourteen present in the morning. The 
crazy man cried out again, and very much frightened 
some in the house. Last evening there were about sev- 
enty out. Mr. H. set up the family altar, and we had a 
prayer meeting and each prayed except the Catholic. 
But things are very dark and discouraging; but my hope 
is in God, and in Him will I trust. He will not let me 
be put to shame. . This evening there was a singing school 
in the church, and the meeting was dispensed with to let 
them sing. One reason why I would consent to it, is on 
account of my health. I have taken a severe cold, so 
that I find it very difficult to talk or pray, and a constant 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 251 

pain in my breast, so that I have felt it to be duty to hold 
up a little while. But, the Lord helping me, I will go 
forward still with the work until I must stop. But I will 
wait until after the Sabbath before I close this sheet. 

Monday morning, 16th. Was quite a blustering day, 
but the people said they had a large congregation, though 
I thought it was small — their house, I think, not half full. 
Many, they say, were in who are never seen in the house 
of the Lord. I preached all day. There was quite a 
a good attention, and some feeling. They are quite an 
uncouth and rough looking set of people. And if "it is 
not all gold that shines " perhaps that which does not 
shine may be gold, and may yet reign in the golden city; 
and there may abound blessings to those that earth would 
disdain. They seem to listen to what is said, yet there is 
very poor preparation indeed here for the work of the 
Lord, and most of the people are glued to their houses. 
They say this is a real gambling hole. The first Judge of 
the county resides here, and is reputed to be a gambler 
and scarce never attends church. O, what a set of rulers 
our nation has got! "When the wicked bear rule, the 
people mourn," and it is a wonder to me if they will not 
wail and lament as well as mourn. But may it please 
the Lord to avert the storm that may be gathering over 
us, and let us be founff at the foot of the cross, and lie 
humble before Him. I find that my heart is prone to 
wander from the Lord, and He only can keep me in His 
hand; and O, may I ever be found in Him, and of His 
righteousness partake. 

The people of God have much to do; to watch and 
pray, lest in this time to tiy men's souls they forsake the 
rock of their salvation. Tell the children to love the 



252 LIFE AM) LETTERS OF 

Savior, and tell all to lie humble before God, and may 
the Lord smile upon you all. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



An extract. 

Chateaugay, April 1 6, 1845. 
My Dear Wife : 

Since I wrote you the Lord has appeared for our help 
and has truly been our deliverer. There have been a 
good many backsliders brought to bow at the foot of the 
cross, and a goodly number of sinners have given up all 
to the Lord, as we hope. The number I cannot say. 
There have been some conversions of persons as old as fifty- 
five and sixty. There are the most men affected, as there is 
by far a much larger class of them impenitent than of the 
other sex. The community seems to be on the move? 
and a large number attend in the evening, and something 
of a number in the day time. There have been some 
cases of interest. In the village there have been some 
four or five family altars erected to the Lord, and quite a 
number in the town. I believe I mentioned Dr. B. 
had relatives living here. Some of them are what are 
called hard cases. We hope that three or four of his 
connection have bowed at the feet of Jesus. A cousin 
of his by marriage, is a backsliding, drinking, gambling, 
Baptist preacher. Keeps tavern, but has made some 
little confession, and burnt up two packs of cards, but is 
not yet, it is thought, what he should be. One physician, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 253 

we hope, has given his heart to God ; and another physi- 
cian's wife, two merchants, and one wife. I know not 
what the Lord will do yet. I do pray for greater things, 
and I do pray God that He will show His mighty power 
in bringing hard hearted men to humble themselves. I 
find, in some respects, this one of the most difficult places 
that I ever labored in, viz., the want of moral principle. 
They seem not to feel moral obligation at all; yet the 
Lord may show them their vile hearts and make them 
feel their awful condition. And my only hope is in Him; 
He can turn them as the rivers of waters are turned — the 
cause is His. Brother M., of N., has been here and spent 
a few days, and has done much good. It was the former 
place of his labors and they think much of him — and he 
is worthy of their esteem. Fray much for inc.. The 
people of Lawrence want that the meeting in that place 
be deferred until about the first of June, if I can. But I 
do not know what I shall do. I was expecting to return 
in two weeks, but I cannot tell. We have a good turn- 
out notwithstanding bad traveling. There have been 
as many as eighty forward for prayers at a time, and 
most of them men. May the Lord have mercy upon 
them ! But O, the wickedness of this place ! I have 
not time to point it out. Love to all. 

Farewell, 

L. A. WICKES. 



An extract. 

April 25th. The meeting is now quite interesting, 
and there have been quite a goodly number hopefully 
converted, and brought into the fold of the Saviour. The 



254 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

meeting has been crowned with the blessing of God. To 
Him be all the glory and honor. The Saviours promise 
has been truly verified: " Lo, I am with you alway; 
even unto the end of the world." 

L. A. W. 



Massena Jan., 1845. 
My Dear and Affectionate Parents: 
Birthday By this time I suppose you are often saying 
letter to that Lewis has forgotten his birth-day letter 
parents, and why do we not hear from him, and a good 
many other things which would take me a long while to 
answer. But I would say that since I wrote you from 
West S. I have preached every day but two and nearly 
all the time twice a day, besides a meeting each day for 
inquiry and prayer. And besides I have written about 
one hundred and twelve quires of paper into letters and 
I have not got around yet. Neither have I heard direct- 
ly from Albany. 

Chateaugay, Franklin Co., N.Y., March 19, 1845. 
The above I wrote at the time of the date, and since 
that I have been all the time engaged one day and anoth- 
er. I plead guilty to the charge of negligence, though I 
have been busy, yet I might have taken time to have 
written a few lines. I think the time I wrote you was 
about the first of my meeting in West Stockholm. Since 
that time I have held some four long meetings and been al- 
lowed the privilege of seeing the hopeful conversion of at 
least three hundred and fifty souls. To God be all the glory. 
And it has been in the midst of discouragements which 
could not be imagined but by those who were on the 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. ZOO 

ground. All the evils of Millerism, Spiritualism, wifeism, 
church contention, singing" school jealousy, slothful pro- 
fessors, Universalist ridicule, ignorant superstition and 
unbelieving professors. And so many are the obstacles 
that none but a God could help forward the work. So 
gloriously did God work that the politician note of warn- 
ing was not sounded, nor heard, and the winter has passed 
with meetings every day and all day. " And the Lord 
has overthrown the horse and his rider." The subjects 
of the work are from the men of threescore and fifteen, to 
the child of eight and ten years of age. Nearly all classes 
of persons and many who have never been into the house 
of the Lord. Truly, what hath God wrought for us. To 
His name be all the glory and the honor, for His own 
right hand has done the work. After closing at Massena, 
I started for home and spent about three days at home ! 
since the 7th of last October. And then I started for 
this place. I am now 130 miles from home and 200 
miles from A., within four miles of Lower Canada lines, 
and a wretched hole it is. They have a small village of 
some twenty-five or thirty families and not a family altar 
here except in the family where I board, and that has been 
erected since I came here. And all manner of wickedness 
seems to be carried on here. And this people are ex- 
tremely ignorant, with the exception of a very few. The 
first Judge of the county resides here, and is reputed to be 
the leader in the gambling line. Of all the congregations 
I think this exceeds all I have seen of late. Rough, un- 
couth, real bushwhackers, and among the rest Dr. B. 
has an uncle and a cousin or two here. One of his cous- 
ins was into meeting the other evening but could not 
wait until he got out of church before he must light his 



256 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

pipe and begin to smoke. They say he has not been known 
for a long time to visit the house of God before. I shall 
try and see him for the Dr.'s sake and for Christ's sake. 
On my visit home I found all well. It is the Lord s 
mercies that we are spared and His loving kindness to us 
is great. The Lord has sustained me thus far, and I 
want to lie at the foot of the cross and honor God in my 
whole life, and I wish not to hold my life dear unto 
myself, that I may finish my course with joy. And my 
life be such that it may be an honor to my parents, my 
family and to the church of God. I hope my dear par- 
ents are enjoying much of the presence of God, and all 
the brothers and sisters. Oh, for a family like heaven, 
to be always doing the will of God, and yet meet to- 
gether in the Paradise above. Love to all. I am as ever, 

Your eldest son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Chateaugav, April 2, 1845. 
My Brother Cross: 

You will perceive by this that I have arrived on the 
battle field of the North. I passed you about two or 
three o'clock in the morning of the day I expected to, 
when I saw you last, having made a stay at home of 
three days ! And found my family quite well, and enjoy- 
ing the comforts of life except religion, which I found in 
rather a low ebb. Oh, may God have mercy upon them. 
I arrived in this place on the 1 3th of March, and was 
sick, tired and faint-hearted, within three miles of Canada, 
in a village of some twenty-five or thirty families, and 
where there was not a family altar in the whole place, or 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. ^57 

was not when I came here and I know not that there is 
but one now. But I pray God He will give us more. 
The church is in a miserable state. Down at the lowest 
ebb. But few that have been in attendance during the 
day time. In the evening there is a goodly number out. 
The state of community in this place is miserable, and 
moral principles have been very low ; and in many, scarce 
a vestige of moral principle left for them to feel or to be 
governed by. Yet, after all, there is a chance to work and 
teach and instruct as well as exhort, and indeed they must 
have and learn it or nothing permanent can be done with 
them. They have been scorched over here by the wild- 
fire of the Miller excitement, of the world coming to an 
end, and many were quite religious while the hour was 
rolling on for the world to end, but as the world did not 
come to an end their religion has ended. Oh, how many 
we have reason to fear have built upon a false hope. I 
found it to be a very difficult post to fill, to get the mind 
on the right object to lead the sinner to Christ. But the 
Lord .has appeared and some souls have given pleasing 
evidence of a saving change of heart. One man that was 
about fifty years old, who had been a most wicked and 
vile being, and one who knew enough to know and do 
better. Oh, may God keep him ! There were about 
forty forward for prayers last evening, and the most of 
them were men from eighteen to fifty years of age, and 
several told us they now gave their hearts to God 
and His cause. One among them, a lawyer. He had 
been trying to survey, but he could not run a straight 
line all he could do, he felt so bad, and he could live so no 
longer. There have been a goodly number of back-sliders 
brought to bow and take up their cross and follow the 



258 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Savior and confess their awful wanderings from the Lord. 
The region is full of these creatures who once indulged 
hopes. They were the children of God and some have lived 
so that no one would know that they scarce ever thought 
of God. Oh, when will God's people ever do their duty 
and live before the Lord all the time a life of devotedness 
as becomes the children of God? How glad I shall be 
to see the time when the people of God will make the 
religion of Christ their life's business, and do all in their 
power to advance the cause and bring souls to bow at 
the foot of the cross. It is such blessed work that I 
wonder how any man can do anything but live for the 
Lord all the time. But alas, I find I have a very treach- 
erous heart to deal with, and have to be on the look-out 
all the time, lest the devil get the advantage of me, and 
then he will come behind with his crafty devices ere I am 
aware. I find there is much to do in this whole region. 
I wish you was here with me. I want some help very 
much, and can you not leave and come out here? My 
health is poor, and I have to put on all the ambition 
which I can command to get along. The minister is a 
good man, but he wants more strength in a dead lift. 
This is my first meeting in this county ( Franklin), wheth- 
er I shall stay in this county is uncertain. Remember 
me to Deacon White, Allen and Walker, and all. Tell 
all to pray for me and this place. How many have come 
to Christ since I last saw you ? Brother, let us ever be 
found with our fisher's coat on, looking to Christ for help, 
and relying on His blessed promises. " Lo, I am with you 
alway, even unto the end of the world. " Matt. 28:20. 
Write me soon. Love to sister C. 

Your brother in haste, 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 259 

CHATEAUGAY, April 25, 1845. 
My Affectionate Daughter : — 

I have been wishing you would write to me and let me 
know how you are busying yourself, and I thought I 
would write to you and tell you about things in this 
place. I will begin by saying that I board with Mr. H. ? 
a merchant in this village, and Mrs. H. has assigned me 
a very pleasant well furnished parlor, and what makes it 
more so, is we have a good many seasons of prayer. And 
I have often wished you was here to mingle in them. 
But this does not seem to be the mind of the Lord. My 
sleeping room is the room over the parlor with all neces- 
sary conveniences. While it is pleasant, yet it is my own 
little family that I find not there. I there take a journey 
home and visit you all and can imagine I see you fast 
asleep as it is about midnight when I retire. But I can- 
not speak to you, so I ask our heavenly Father that He 
will indeed protect and guard you in all your slumbers. 
And so also I want you to pray. I will now tell you 
about the place and people. I went some one hundred 
and fifty rods the other day to see the place where the 
army had their quarters (^called camping) during the last 
war. They had nothing but log houses called barracks, 
which are all torn down and burned up, still a part of 
their chimneys remain and I counted about thirty-five of 
them and all laid out in order. They cleared off a large 
field of land for a parade ground, that they could learn 
how to kill one another. Oh, how cruel is the art of war ! 
While they were here there were many of them died from 
yellow fever. I visited the place where they were depos- 
ited. But there were no traces of the grave, as it was 
all ploughed over and covered with crops and no monu- 



260 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

ment to tell where they lay ! I had many curious 
thoughts. Many of them I suppose were fathers and 
husbands, yet no kind wife near them to administer the 
cordial to their parched lips, and no affectionate daugh- 
ter to wipe the death sweat from the brow. How many 
wives and children were made destitute by the ravages, 
and often saying why does not my father come home? 
But to the grave they have gone. Yet, the slumbering 
dust will awaken, and if they were among those who love 
God, He will remember them. And though our country 
may let the place of the soldier's tomb be forgotten, yet 
not so our heavenly Father when we will serve Him. 
And I thought, shall I have to lay my bones by the side 
of these and my own daughter never know where her 
father's grave is? Well, we will be consoled by this one 
thought, viz., the Lord knows where we may lay and can 
bring us up at the last great day. But the great thing 
is for us to live so that when we arise we shall not have 
to look on a useless life in the cause of the Redeemer. 
And may it be your happy lot to dwell with your Savior. 
Read Dan. 12:1-3, an d ask your mother to teach you the 
meaning. There used to be a system of wickedness here 
which has had a sad influence on the rising generation as 
well as the original perpetrators. There was reputed to 
be a great many wolves in this part of the state, and the 
people wanted to free themselves of the destroyers. There 
was a bounty bid on the head of every wolf of sixty dol- 
lars. Twenty dollars by the town, twenty by the county 
and twenty by the state, and the people went into the 
business of catching them. When a man caught a wolf 
he had to take the head to a magistrate and the magis- 
trate cut off the ears and then gave the man a certificate, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 2()1 

and with this he would get his money. And they killed 
dogs and took them and got a bounty on them. And 
they finally went so far that they would get the magis- 
trate drunk and then tell him they had caught some 
wolves and get hirn to go out in the night in the dark and 
cut off their ears and they would have a young calf or 
two or more and call them wolves and get their premium 
on them. So that the farmer's tax sometimes was one 
hundred dollars a year. And they had to take their 
oath that they had killed the wolf and by thus doing 
they have made themselves liable to state prison. And 
it is said that some of them got sixteen hundred dollars 
a year, when they had not killed more than one or two 
wolves, but had taken other quadrupeds. And some of 
them do not like it because I tell them that God will 
bring them into judgment and there it will be known. 
And nearly every one of those who were engaged in it 
are poor and miserable beings, and lost all their property, 
fulfilling what Solomon says in Proverbs 13:11, 20 and 
2 1 st. Let all remember that there is a God and still He 
lives, and they must meet Him. All this seems to be in 
the way of their coming to the foot of the cross. Oh 
may the Lord show them their sins. 

The meeting here is now quite interesting; there have 
been quite a goodly number hopefully brought into the 
fold of the Savior. Ann Wilbur, cousin to D. and S., 
has just been into my room and been trying to pray and 
return to her Savior from whom she had wandered. Do 
you pray when none but God can hear and know how 
much you desire to be useful in the cause of Jesus ? Give 
my love to all. 

Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WICKES. 



OHAPTEE XX. 



MEETINGS AT BURKE, LAWRENCEVILLE 
AND MOIRA. 




Burke, Franklin Co. N. Y., May 17, 1845. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 



SUPPOSE you are asking what has become of 
your husband. I can say I started for home 
some two weeks ago and got as far as here, and 
then, by the earnest request of the friends and church, I 
stayed by the day until now, and may stay longer. But 
in all probability shall not be here long, as they have 
nothing but a school-house to meet in, and that is wanted 
A letter from for school. And I shall probably start 
Burke. some thirty miles towards home and stop 
at Lawrenceville and hold another meeting, and com- 
mence week after next. There have been hopeful conver- 
sions nearly every day that I have been here. To God 
be all the glory and the honor for all the mighty deeds 
He has done ! The last night of the meeting at Cha- 
teaugay there were one hundred and sixty persons 
forward for prayers, and eighty-five rose and spoke of 
their delight and determination in the service of God 

262 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 2<53 

besides some twenty-five professors who also wanted the 
privilege of speaking of the goodness of God, so that our 
meeting did not close until after midnight! And then 
we had to really choke them off. It would have done 
your soul good to have been there. The minister here 
has missionary aid from the H. M. S., for the people are 
poor. But if I can do them good, and lead souls to 
honor my Saviour, it is all I ask, and God will take care 
of us so long as we obey and follow Him. To-morrow I 
expect to have to preach in a barn, as there is no house 
that will hold the people, and O, may He who was 
born in the manger be present with us, for His mercy 
and holy name's sake, and grant His blessing to us ! 

May 2 1 st. Since writing the above I have not had 
time to say more, but have labored all. the time, and we 
hope there have been quite a goodly number of hopeful 
conversions. To God be all the glory and the honor for 
all His mighty acts, and for the goodness which He has 
shown to this people ! I have finally found it impossible 
for me to come home before my meeting at Lawrenceville. 
Remember me to all friends, and tell them to pray for me 
and this region, and so let us live that the Lord may 
smile upon us all, and let nothing keep us from the love 
of God, and from holding free intercourse with the Father 
of our spirits. Kiss the children for me. 

Your husband, as ever, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Lawrenceville, June 2, 1845, 
My Brother Cross : 

I was expecting to see you at consociation, but such 
is the state of things here, I find it will be out of the 



264 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

question to leave here. I hope you will find it among 
the consistent things of your life to come out here and 
spend one week at least. I do want your help a little, 
and I will help you as much. If you come out to attend 
the installation of Brother Cutler, on the first of July, 
why cannot you stay ? I hope, brother, you will find it 
consistent with your arrangenents to so do. There are 
some things which look encouraging here, while there is 
Mr. Cross, much to discourage. We hope there have 
Lawrenceville. been a few hopeful conversions, and quite 
a number of backsliders reclaimed. 

Brother, pray for me, and for this place ; pray much 
for me that I may have that meek and humble spirit 
which a minister of Christ should have. Why is it I 
must carry so hard a heart all the time ? All things have 
some feeling but this hard heart of mine ! With the ex- 
pectation that I shall see you, I will write no mere; but 
when I see you I will tell you all. 

Your brother in Christ, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Lawrenceville, June 17, 1845. 
My Dear Wife : 

There is but little done here as yet. I think it is one 

of the most discouraging fields of labor that I have ever 

A short extract been in. There are a few that we hope 

written after leav- have given their hearts to God, but noth- 
ing Burke ing seems to give way; and yet there is 
some feeling among the churches. Yet the obstacles in 
the way are very great indeed. I do pray that good may 
yet be done. May we keep our hearts low before God, 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 265 

and watch and pray, and keep humble and prayerful till 
the light of His countenance beams upon us, and we may 
yet witness the displays of His power. O ! for faith that 
works by love, that purifies the heart, overcomes the 
world, and brings the speedy blessing down, for Jesus' 
sake. I must close. Tell the children to be kind and 
good and pray for a new heart, and to serve God with all 
their soul. Pray much for this place. 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



A short extract. — June 29th. Lawrenceville. Says 
he had a cold, tedious ride to that place, and arrange- 
There were con- ments had been made for his board at a 
versions at the tavern, and nothing very encouraging here 
Tavern. as yet. Last Sabbath a crowded house 
and the opinion was that the place would be too small 
for them soon. " Well," (he says), " the Lord has got a 
great house for us, and O ! may we sit at the foot of the 
cross, where the Savior can smile upon us. 
Love to all. Pray much. 

L. A. WICKES. 



Stows Square, July 28, 1845. 
My Dear Parents: 

Cheap postage does not help write letters at all, do 

you think it does? It takes just as much resolution now 

as it ever did and I think a little more. You will perceive 

by this that I have finally arrived at home once more 

17 



266 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

with my dear family after an absence of between four and 
five months, and in fact I have scarcely been at home for 
better than nine months (only three days) and nothing 
but the work of the Lord would have kept me from my 
home. But when I see souls bowing at the foot of the 
cross daily, and giving honor to the Lord, I had rather 
be in such a place than in the midst of mere earthly bliss 
and.no Savior in it. But it is heart sickening to see the 
state of the church in this whole region. The very price 
of blood is and will be found on the hands of those who 
are stationed on the walls of Zion. To see them all 
wrapped in sleep and doing nothing while immortal spirits 
are fast going into eternity, is awful beyond description 
and the people love to have it so. And the great dearth 
there is, they put all on the sovereignty of God as a cloak 
and an excuse for their indolence. I often feel that I am 
the most guilty of all, for my heart is so hard, that I see 
the cause dishonored and yet I feel no more. Since I left 
home in March the Lord has graciously been with me, 
and His blessing has followed much of the labors that 
have been put forth. When I could hear of no revival in 
any direction, yet the Lord was with us and sinners were 
daily brought to bow at His feet, and the cause of Christ 
has been advancing in both the counties of Franklin and 
St. Lawrence. The Lord in answer to prayer and by 
His Holy Spirit has worked, and several hundred of our 
fellow men have been brought to bow at the feet of Jesus. 
And among them are persons in nearly all the ranks of 
life, as well as ages, from the man of 85 years to the 
child of 8 and 10 years. And many of them were per- 
sons who had gone far in sin, and spent most of their 
time ridiculing the things of religion and making this 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 267 

world their God, and among others who had bowed be- 
fore the Lord the inebriate has found the waters of life 
pleasant to his thirsty soul, and which will be a living 
fountain in many of them. We will give all the glory and 
the honor to Him who has done so much for us. Yea, He 
is worthy of more praise than all the powers on earth 
can express, and my prayer is that I may ever consecrate all 
I have to the service of the Lord. He can create and He 
destroy. My voice is quite poor since I closed my meet- 
ing, I think it is poorer than when constantly laboring. 
I shall not probably engage in any meeting for a few 
weeks. As to my future course I cannot say what I 
shall do. I sometimes think of "settling down" as folks 
call it. Yet I cannot see it to be my duty as yet. It has 
been a peculiar train of Providence that has placed me 
in the field of labor where I now am placed and I dare 
not take any course which would be displeasing to God. 
And all I wish to know is, what is duty to the cause of 
God, and I will do it. I do ask your prayers and your 
counsel that God would open the path of duty plainly 
before me, and I will gladly walk in it. All send love 
to all. 

Your son as ever, write me soon. 

LEWIS A. WICKES. 



MOIRA, Franklin Co., Nov. 17, 1845. 
My Dear Parents: 

I have been here some six days. It is a place of 
some refinement, and some intelligence. Not a large 



268 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

place. They have a new church just dedicated to 
Almighty God, and the service of the Lord we hope has 
commenced indeed. The meeting has been held as yet 
only afternoons and evenings, and the congregation is fill- 
ing up quite fast, and the interest is increasing to some 
extent. Things were very dark indeed when I came. 
There was quite a division and excitement about Cal- 
vinism and Arminianism! So both parties were about " 
fighting the cause of Christ, and the devil laughing at 
them. But I am in hopes they will get down at the foot 
of the cross of Jesus, and be brought to work together 
and forget their party names altogether, for, I find the 
more men love the Lord and engage in his service, the 
less they care about the " mint, anise, cummin," Matt. 
23: 23, and use of religion. While these may have 
their appropriate place, yet they are not the whole nor 
any of the absolute essential parts of religion. And when 
I find men making this the great thing, I find they are 
very low in spirituality. Tell all to pray for me and 
this place. Love to all. Remember me to Cousins 
Rodney and Sidney. 

As ever your son. 

L. A. WICKES. 
P. S. — 1 8th. — The meeting is becoming rather interest- 
ing and this morning I have been out visiting and find 
some very interesting cases indeed. And yet there is 
much to be done. Some of the impenitent are quite 
thoughtful. Oh, that the Lord would visit them with 
His renewing grace, and which He is willing to do if they 
will only submit to Him to be saved by grace divine. 

Your son. 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 269 

November 24. An extract. Dear Wife: — The 
meeting is now becoming quite interesting. Two or three 
evenings ago after family worship, two young ladies came 
into my room and desired me to pray for them that they 
might be made to see their hearts and become Christians. 
We bowed in prayer. And they have appeared very 
thoughtful indeed until last evening, when they both 
bowed and called upon the name of the Lord, and there 
hoped they gave themselves to God. One of them is 
daughter of Mr. L. with whom I board, her name Sarah. 
And the other, a friend of hers, who lives in the family 
when she is not engaged in teaching. Last evening was 
the first opportunity given for rising for prayers and some 
eight or ten rose. I have not held meeting all day as yet 
but shall commence to-morrow. Mr. Reed, the minister, 
is not with us but a part of the time; he resides about 
seventeen miles from here, he left for home this morning, 
to kill his hogs! So that I am alone most of the time. 
Sabbath we attended the Methodist quarterly meeting. 
I preached the sermon. After which we had the Lord's 
supper. I think there is more union among the people 
than when I came, and an appearance of good being 
done. Still I find that much of the work has yet to be 
done. And much that must be done now or probably 
never. Five o'clock P. M. I have just returned from 
meeting, but few out, but a good degree of feeling. S. 
and her friend both spoke and several rose for prayers. 
After meeting I spoke to a young lady and she burst into 
a flood of tears and wanted I should pray for her, which 
I did. The young lady called upon God and hoped she 
gave up all to the Lord. While I was praying Sarah 
came back into church and brought two of her cousins in 



270 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

with her and bowed with them in prayer, and they felt to 
surrender all to the Lord who died to save them. 
Thanks be to His holy name for the gracious manifesta- 
Nov. 25. tions of His spirit on the heart. Tuesday 
morning. Dear Wife. The Lord was in the congrega- 
tion last eve., and truth took hold of the minds of men. 
(Text Mark 2, last clause of 1 7th verse.) They have had so 
much of every thing here that many are afraid to move, lest 
they should find themselves overpowered by some de- 
lusion. Men are in attendance at the meeting that have 
never been known to go to meeting at all and and are 
quite serious. Both the physicians are very thoughtful. 
Pray for them with all your soul. I will hold my sheet 
open till after meeting to-day. 6 o'clock eve. — I have just 
closed a season of prayer with a company that came into 
my room. Several to day have chosen the Lord to 
serve Him, and some three or four family altars have 
been reared for God, and to His name be all the glory. 
I have much to say but no time to say it, as I must 
mail this. Pray for me and this place. Love to the 
children. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 

Dec. 11, 1845. 
An extract. P. S. I have but a moment to say the 
Lord is with us. There has been some sixty or seventy 
forward for prayer, and some very interesting cases 
of conversion. And my room has been thronged for 
several days, and the work is spreading , and deepening. 
It now is meeting time, and I must close. Our friend 
Mrs. H. of Malone, is now in my room, and sends her 



LEWIS AFFRED WICKES. 271 

love to you. I am requested to hold my next meeting 
at Gouverneur. Think it is probable I may. To-night 
the Lord was in the midst, and truth took effect. Thank 
the Lord. Praise His holy name. Pray for us. 
As ever yours affectionately, 

L. A WICKES. 



Being the thirty-sixth anniversary of the life of Lewis 
Alfred, oldest of ten children of Jonas and Sarah B. 
Wickes; and the nineteenth year of my Christian life 
through the Redeemer's blood, thirteenth of the gospel 
ministry, and fifth of my exclusive labors as an evangelist, 
according to the grace of God given unto me, and of 
whom I am not worthy to be called His child. 

MoiRA, Franklin Co., Dec. 8, 1845. 
My Dear and most Affectionate Parents : 

This morning thirty-six years ago (as you say), you 
remember — I do not — and the events of that morning 
and its consequences so far, you have known. Little did 
you know or even think what you was holding in that 
lap, or nursing upon that breast. Then it was that you 
watched over me; then it was you thought of me. I 
think then I had no praying father or mother ; I was the 
first of impenitent parents. But thanks be to God, after 
I was born, they were born again. And well do I re- 
member the first time my father assembled us, a family 
for his family devotion. And when he bowed his knee 
to call on the Lord in the log house at what was 
then called "the West." And I stood up straight as a 



272 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

candle, and thought if / could not pray better than that 
I would not pray at all. Then my young heart was 
filled with anger, and I said to Brother H. I would not 
stay at home if there was going to be such work as that. 
But, oh, my folly ! and, oh, my wickedness ! I trust a 
Saviour has pardoned, and my parents also. But what 
changes since, and how checkered has been life. Some- 
times with prospects of delight, and then dark and dis- 
mal clouds, that seemed to threaten all hopes. But 
still the sunbeams of my Lord have shone again, and life 
appears once more. The two past years have been 
peculiarly years of trial to my soul. But in the midst of 
all this the Lord has very kindly looked upon me and 
granted me His assistance. During the last year I have 
taken a longer respite in my labors than I have before 
for thirteen years. I have preached during the year about 
four hundred and fifty sermons, and attended about three 
hundred prayer and inquiry meetings. I have held eight 
different protracted meetings in as many different places, 
which have lasted from three to eight weeks, and there 
have been about five hundred and fifty to six hundred 
hopeful conversions. And many of them, perhaps, are 
not the children of God. O, may He search and see and 
open their own eyes to the things of eternity, as well as 
a correct view of their own hearts. Yet, in justice, I 
must say that I had the most pleasing evidence of their 
being born of the spirit of God. It is God that has done 
it : to His great name be all the glory and the honor for 
the wonders He has wrought. I have, during the year, 
traveled about fourteen hundred miles, mostly in my own 
private conveyance. I suspended my labors for three to 
four months on account of my health, and during that 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 273 

time I did more mechanical labor than any time since I 
commenced my preaching, only preaching occasionally 
on the Sabbath. I had restored my health, but a severe 
cold has brought on my hoarseness. But I feel I cannot 
stop my labors. So you have a synopsis of my past 
year. I am sorry that it is no better, and that I have 
done no more good in the cause of the Lord. But if I 
know my heart, I do most solemnly wish to be engaged 
in the cause of the Redeemer. Since I wrote you last 
the Lord has graciously smiled upon this place, and quite 
a goodly number have come to Christ. Some of the 
most influential persons in town are among the number. 
Two physicians are subjects of this work. Thank the 
Lord. Two young ladies came to my room after family 
worship (one the daughter of Mr. L., with whom I board,) 
and wanted I should pray for them. We bowed in 
prayer; in a short time, we hope, they gave all to Christ. 
On going out of , church in the afternoon a young lady 
was weeping in the aisle ; after speaking a word or two 
with her, pointing her to the Savior, we bowed in prayer, 
and while we were praying, Miss L. (above) came back into 
the church and brought five or six others, and fell on 
their bended knees, and there, we hope, several gave all 
up to the Lord. And they have gone to work for the 
good of others. Thus the Lord has put His own hand 
to the work, and smiled upon His own truth. 

December 9th. Last eve we had a crowded house, 
and the Lord was in the midst of us. I preached from 
Ezek. 33: 11, "As I live," etc. At the close there were 
somewhere about sixty presented themselves as subjects 
of prayer and hope. A large number gave themselves 
to the Lord to be His in a covenant never to be 



274 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

broken. To God be all the glory and the honor, for it is 
His due. A deep feeling is pervading the whole com- 
munity. Do pray that God will make this day of my 
life the emblem of each day of the year. I ask earnestly 
let me be the subject of your prayers. Perhaps you 
have not a child that with so much propriety can say, 
pray for me ' in the station in which I am called, with 
so great a responsibility resting upon me. Love to 
brothers and sisters and all. 

As ever your son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



MoiRA, Dec. 1 6, 1845. 
My Dear Wife : 

I have just this moment received yours of the 
ninth. I have been rather unwell for # a few days. I 
have but little ministerial help. The work is going for- 
ward. Maj. Lawrence (with whom I board), I trust, 
has become a praying man. This morning he took lead 
in the family devotion. And there have been some 
twelve or fourteen family altars erected here. And the 
work is spreading far, and, I think, deepening. There 
have been somewhere between forty and fifty hopeful 
conversions, and my room is thronged almost as much 
as it was at Adams. Pray for this work, especially for 
me. 

After meeting, half-past seven P. M. — The Lord is in 
the midst of us, and moving on the mass. A good 
number of married people rose as subjects for prayer, 
and rose as an evidence of their giving all to Christ. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 275 

Text : Ps. 57 : 7, first clause. And may God seal it upon 
the hearts of all. But I am extremely tired. I want 
you to live near the Savior. Love to the children, and 
tell all to pray. In haste, 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



MoiRA, December 29. 
My Dear Parents: 

The bearer of this, Hon. Judge S. Lawrence from this 
place, I introduce to you, is a member of the Legislature, 
a member of the M. E. Church, and an active Christian. 
A brother to the Mr. Lawrence, with whom I have board- 
ed during this long meeting. When the meeting com- 
menced the Judge's three brothers, heads of families, were 
impenitent. He commenced asking prayers for them and 
their families. And we hope that each of those brothers 
have become praying men. And the wife of one of them 
(the others were professors), the only son and daughter of 
one family, two daughters of another family, three daugh- 
ters and one son, if not three of the other family. To 
God be all the glory. You will find him an agreeable 
guest. I hope you will give him a cordial welcome. As 
I have but a moment to write, you must inquire of him 
about the meeting, and he will tell you, and also about 
the prospects here. He will like occasionally to go with 
father to the Bethel. We hope there have been some- 
where between eighty and one hundred hopeful conver- 
sions, and the work is now increasing, and extending to 
others over a large tract of country, and promises to be 



276 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

a great ingathering of the harvest of precious souls. 
I had intended to have started for home this 
morning, but such is the state of things here that we 
could not close, and am holding on by the day. A dele- 
gation from the church in Malone wishing me to go there. 
I think now probably I shall go there first, then to Gouv- 
erneur in St. Lawrence county, before I return home, to 
save travel, and time is precious. Remember in prayer. 
Love to all. 

Your son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



MOIRA, January 2, 1846. 
My Dear Wife: 

I have only a moment to write, and don't know but 
the, stage may be here before I can finish, this. And I 
can only just have time to say that such is the state of 
things in this community, that it seems almost impossible 
for me to leave this section of country. The whole re- 
gion is on the move, and all are inquiring what these 
things mean, and whereunto will they come, and such is 
the state of things that I have concluded to go from 
this place to Malone, which is thirteen miles still further 
from home. They sent out a delegation of four men 
the other day after me, and such is the state of feeling 
that I have thought it my duty to go there, and there- 
fore I shall not be home for a few weeks. I commence 
there next Tuesday evening, the 6th inst, the Lord 
willing, and I hope I shall have your prayers now as 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 277 

well as all of the others. The Lord was with us yester- 
day, and it was one of the happiest New Years days 
that this community have ever seen here, and the Lord 
brought some fifteen or twenty souls to bow at the foot 
of the cross, and this week has been a glorious one. I 
cannot say how many have been hopefully converted to 
God in all, but somewhere not far from one hundred and 
twenty or one hundred and thirty, and things are now 
ripe for a mighty shaking among the dry bones. I will 
write more particulars from Malone. In haste. 
As ever your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 




CHAPTEE XXI. 




MEETINGS AT MALONE AND GOUVERNEUR. 



Malone, Jan. 20, 1846. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

OUR long looked for and kind letter was very 
thankfully received last eve, and I hasten to reply. 
I have but a moment to say a word as I must 
hasten to church in season this morning. I do very 
much regret that I could not meet the Association to- 
day. But such is the state of things here that I feel 
it would be sin against God for me to leave. The work 
seems to be getting hold of a class of persons here, that 
all other means have been unable to reach, and the whole 
affair would apparently come to an end if I were to leave. 
The whole region is on the move. The work of God 
commenced in Moira, has spread into the different towns, 
and many have turned to the Lord. In the towns of 
Bangor, Brandon, Dickinson, and Bombay, there seems 
to be indications of good. There have been seventy- 
five and one hundred persons forward for prayers at a 
time here. To-day is a day for fasting and prayer and 
humiliation before God. Oh, for more of that broken- 
heartedness before God myself — I do hope you will pray 

278 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 279 

for me much. But Christ does care for us, and " his own 
right hand will well sustain the children of His love." 
And to study to be like the Son of God in all things is 
my great desire; Let Matt. 5:11, be our support. It is 
time for meeting and I must close. May the God of peace 
rest upon you, and all the children, and the whole family. 
Love to Father and Mother especially. Write often if 
short. I want to hear about the meeting. There have 
been quite a number of hopeful conversions. To God 
be all the glory. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Malone, Feb. 13, 1846. 
My Dear Wife: 

Yours was very thankfully received. I have but little 
time to write. You are aware how it is. My room is 
continually thronged. The Lord is truly in our midst. 
There have been sometimes one hundred and one hun- 
dred and fifty forward for prayers at a time. The most 
of them have been youth of the first families, generally 
from sixteen to twenty-two or three years of age, some 
quite interesting cases indeed there are. The other 
churches have not taken much interest in the work as yet, 
though a few there are who have. The number of hope- 
ful conversions I cannot say, not far from one hundred. 
There are very promising young men among them, and 
sons of the first talent in the county. A large number 
of clerks in the stores have become subjects of the work. 
There have been some few heads of families brought into 



280 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

the kingdom, and some ten or fifteen family altars set up. 
To God, be all the glory for all that He has done. Mr. 
Woodruff their minister is a fine man, and one that takes 
hold in every place, and one which I think will be a last- 
ing blessing to this people. I was carried the other day 
to the poor house for the purpose of preaching to the 
paupers, and a good time we had of it. There are three 
or four hopeful conversions, and since then there have 
been some three or four more, and one of the daughters 
of the keeper of the poor house. Some members of the 
factory in the place have bowed at the foot of the cross; 
also, quite a number of the students of the Academy. 
To God be thanks and honor given. The glory, Lord, is 
Thine. Since I have been here I have spent one Sabbath 
at Moira, and administered the communion to the church, 
and twenty-two were received into the church fellowship; 
it is now nearly doubled, probably many accessions will 
be made. Yesterday I went out to preach the funeral 
sermon of Mr. Abiram Lawrence, brother of the one 
with whom I boarded. It was a consolation to me that 
God had made me an humble instrument of leading one 
soul to the Lord, whom we hope will praise the Lord 
through the ceaseless ages of eternity. If there is noth- 
ing else my dear wife that would prompt us to be sepa- 
rated, will not the thought of being co-workers with the 
Savior in salvation, and seeing friends in Christ and reign 
with Him in glory. Does it not adequately repay for all 
the deprivations which we are called upon to make? I 
have of late looked much at the object of our life here. 
It is to get men and women to heaven to honor God, 
His ob- anc i there can be nothing of greater worth, nor 
'life, more worthy of all our efforts. The Lord wil] 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 281 

strengthen and bless those that put their trust in Him — 
pray that the Lord will raise up faithful witnesses in all 
this northern region, and especially here in Malone. 

Say to A her two last have been received, and she 

improves much. I wanted her to answer the questions 

I proposed to her. E does very well ; let them write 

often. Tell S to be a good child and love her Savior. 

Remember me affectionately to Aunt W . I have 

had an earnest call to go to Clinton County. Pray God 
to direct. 

Affectionately, your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Malone, Feb. 17, 1846. 
My Dear and Affectionate Parents: 

Your kind letter was received and I hasten to reply, as 
I know you feel a deep interest in my welfare and work. 
The place where I now am is one of the largest places 
there is in this northern region. There are four different 
church edifices in this village, and the Universalists meet 
in the court house, and the jail is under them (emblematic 
of their condition). There are three factories, besides 
furnaces, and one distillery! It is a place of considerable 
business. They have an academy, and other schools. It 
is a place of a good deal of refinement, and yet there is 
much abomination, and much opposition to true princi- 
ples of piety, and even of morality Yet, truth is mighty 
and will prevail. There has been quite a good work 
wrought here, about one hundred and fifty hopeful con- 
versions, and some very interesting cases too, mostly 
18 



282 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

among the young, and young married people, and a few 
cases of those past middle life. I shall leave here on 
Monday, if the Lord will, for home, and spend only about 
a week, and then return to Gouverneur to spend a little 
time in that contentious place. Since I have been here 
I have been out to Moira twice, once to administer the 
Lord's supper, when twenty-two united with that little 
church; and then I went out to preach the funeral ser- 
mon of Mr. A. L — , (Brother of the Judge at Albany). 
He was a subject of the work there, fifty-five years of 
age. He lived to see his children all brought into the 
kingdom of Christ, and closed up his career of Christian 
life, and entered into rest. It has been a source of consola- 
tion to me that God should, through my instrumentality, 
lead him to repentance, now that he has so soon removed 
him from the family circle on earth to the family above. 
It is the Lord's doings, and may it be sanctified to the 
bereaved, while we adore the riches of His grace and give 
glory to the Savior. If I can only be the means in the 
hand of God, of leading my fellow men to Jesus, and 
then see them rise to dwell above, and praise my dear 
Redeemer, it is all I ask. And let me have the true spir- 
it of my master who came to seek and save the lost. I 
know that I am unworthy of any such favors, yet I do 
trust that Jesus owns me for His, and will through His 
abounding grace at the last receive my soul into His em- 
brace. Since the nth of November I have preached two 
sermons a day, besides all the other talking which I have 
had to do. Except mornings, my room has been thronged 
with anxious ones. I get little time for writing. Pray 
much for this region, and for 

Your unworthy son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 283 

GOUVERNEUR, March n, 1846. 
To Orrin Lawrence, Esq. : 

Dear Brother in Christ ; I take a moment to redeem 
my pledge made to you and the dear family, to write to 
you after I had been at my home. I found the traveling 
quite hard after I left your kind and hospitable roof, and 
only reached Lawrenceville that evening. In Antwerp I 
visited several afflicted families. I arrived home on 
Thursday noon, safe and sound, except I froze one cheek 
a little, and the end of my nose. I found my family in 
tolerable health. I commenced meeting here last week 
on Thursday evening. There was a congregation of 
about one hundred out, but the state of society is most 
wretched and miserable. They have two Congregational- 
ist churches, one Baptist, and a small Methodist, in con- 
nection with the Academy. The First church will have 
nothing to do with the Second church (I am laboring 
with the Second church). The First church would not 
read a notice of the meeting, and some at least deter- 
mined not to do anything to help the work along. I am 
sorry, for they stand in their own light, and will bring 
darkness upon their own souls. The meetings have be- 
come as interesting as I could expect from the state of 
things, as it was a very dead time in all the churches 
here. Some of all the churches attend the meeting, and 
are active in taking part in the work. The house has 
become so full that we have Jto crowd the pulpit stairs, 
and an increased interest seems to be awaking upon the 
subject. The impenitent appear to feel considerable for 
their soul's welfare. I do pray God they may bow hum- 
bly at the foot of the cross. It is very painful in such a 



284 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

state of society, that professed friends of Christ feel 
thus toward each other. But perhaps the arm of the 
Lord will soften their hearts, and they will once become 
like the Savior — they will love one another. I mean to 
endeavor to do all in my power to reconcile things, and 
bring them to a happy termination, if possible. I do 
earnestly hope you will all remember me and this place in 
your prayers. That God will glorify Himself and His 
cause by pouring His spirit upon us all. That His people 
may lie humble at His feet, and the impenitent may yield 
to the sceptre of love. I have often to think of the hours 
spent in the stone house, and the blessings and mercies 
from heaven's hands which were poured upon us there, 
and while I regret I felt no more for souls, yet I do thank 
God that He ever allowed me the privilege of ever coming 
under your roof. Though I never can repay you for all 
the kindness which I have received from your hands, yet 
in the judgment, I trust, when Christ shall gather up His 
jewels, you will be rewarded among the number who shall 
rise to praise the Savior who have been born to Christ 
in that west room. My heart does swell with joy now, 
at the remembrance of those hours, and it will be more 
joyful in full realization in the world of glory. I do hope 
that each of your dear family may be among the blessed 
throng at that last great day — I hope that all efforts will 
be made to keep up the prayer meetings, and the regular 
appointments of the church. Remember me affection- 
ately to your own dear family, together with all the be- 
loved friends. And may God smile upon you all, is the 
prayer of your 

Brother in Christ, 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 285 

March 6, 1846. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

I will commence now a brief journal of my present 
meeting. I found the traveling much better than I ex- 
pected, through rather hard a part of the way. I called 
at Brother Stimsons; met a few friends; had a season of 
prayer, and on I came ; reached G — about sunset, and 
made my home at Brother Pond's. I found that invita- 
tions had been given to all the other churches to come in 
and co-operate. They were read by the Baptist and the 
Methodist churches. But Mr. B — of the First church 
refused to read the notice. I hear that they think Bro- 
ther P — insulted them by giving them the notice — so you 
have a clue to their feeling. I tried to preach in the eve- 
ning from Rom. 8:9, last clause. There were some one 
hundred persons out, and some from each of the churches, 
several even from the First church. The state of things 
here is very dark. My own soul seems hard. A severe 
headache all the evening. Yesterday no meeting in A. 
M., in P. M. about twenty out to prayer meeting, and 
not much feeling among the churches; two or three im- 
penitent in. In the evening they had an oyster supper ball. 
Yet about as many in as the evening before, and some 
feeling, and my health better than the day before. No 
meeting this morning, and must go and call upon some 
families of my old acquaintance. Oh, how much we 
need to pray and labor for the. good of souls. Evening, 
half-past 10. To-day there have been some more in at- 
tendance, and some more feeling. I visited Mr. H's fam- 
ily, saw Mrs. F. there, but little feeling on the subject of 
religion. This evening saw Mrs. Fowler and Susan (for- 
merly of the Oxbow), they were at the meeting. They 



286 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

now reside here; they were very urgent I should call upon 
them, which I shall do the first opportunity. I saw Mr. 
P. Horr; they have united with the Baptist church again. 
This evening the congregation about doubled, and a 
goodly number of the old church was in. I do pray their 
hearts may all be subdued and made humble by divine 
grace, and so may I get low before God. But I must 
close for to-night. The first week of spring is gone, so 
time passes away, and hearts of stone cannot go back. 
O, may I improve the moments as they pass. To-mor- 
row's responsibilities are coming on apace. O, for grace 
to meet them ! But another thought is in my heart. 
What will my family do? How will they spend the day 
of the Lord? O, for a change on the Square for His glory, 
may God clothe us all for His honor and glory. I heard 
this evening that Brother B — is holding a protracted 
meeting in B.; just commenced; nothing special at pres- 
ent. May the Lord protect us all, while we lie in His 
arms. 

nth. I have not had time to write since the last 
date; my health is about as when I wrote, though at 
times I find it very difficult to speak. But the Lord's 
will be done. The meeting has become more interesting. 
A larger number of persons in attendance, and more feel- 
ing. Last Sabbath the house was crowded full; it will 
seat about three hundred persons. Truth seemed to 
take hold. I presented the characters of Abraham and 
Eli. Monday I was out at Richville, and saw our friends 
there. Dea. W. has come out there to-day, and seems 
to get hold upon the arm of the Lord in some measure. 
There are a few colored people here, and no one feels 
disgraced in having them sit promiscuously in the con- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 287 

gregation. The church here have some very strong ones 
in it. Some of the sisters are the real praying ones, 
and seem to lay all upon the Lord's arm. I am of the 
opinion that if Christians do not take hold, they will see 
when it is too late for help. I have just called upon 
some of the old church, and they do not know hardly 
what to do or say. They evidently feel that they are 
occupying a responsible station, and the blood of souls 
will be required of their hands, and yet they have taken 
and sustained so high ground of opposition to the Sec- 
ond church, that it is hard work to come to where they 
ought to be. But they are about full, and I think they 
will be soon filled with their own way and that will 
be bad enough now, I assure you. There is a large 
class of young people here that are under their influence, 
and they are ripening very fast for destruction. 

They have had one dance since I have been here, and 
this evening they have an exhibition at the Academy, 
and the whole community are turned out to see and hear 
the boy speak. Our congregation was only about one 
hundred and twenty or thirty, as nearly all the young 
people were at the Academy ; and from a great distance 
around, they are just returning home, now fifteen minutes 
to eleven at night. I must close for to-night, as my room 
is cold, and I am taking cold. Thursday morning. The 
Lord has protected once more, and the mercies of God 
are continually with me. One week this morning I left 
home for this place. How rapid time does fly! God 
and all nature are on the march, and so may I be found. 
And now may we see the need of being more watchful 
than ever, of lying at the foot of the cross, and being 
more like Christ. Let not the world nor any thing find 



288 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

in us a sordid nature. And let not the thought of a 
place (an earthly home)* be to you any but a help to- 
wards heaven. Let us not provoke God to depart from 
us by our forsaking Him. This world is nothing as long 
as we rise above it, all is well. But when we become en- 
tangled in it, we shall be sure to have enough of it. "For 
the backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways." 
So let not the children have their expectations raised on 
such a vain show of things, on expectations they will be 
all joy and delight — For their hopes may soon be cut off. 
I can very easily see there are many disadvantages 
which will arise to us. The opportunities for improve- 
ment may be small there to what it will be in other 
places. And so also there as to church privileges, these 
two will be greater than all others. I may be taken 
away in a little time, and I want they should be provided 
and prepared for any exigency. My great anxiety is to 
know what God will have me to do, and when I know 
that I know He will help me through — Oh may my feet 
be directed in the path of rectitude — Pray much, yea 
renewedly before God. Love to all. Remember me to 
Aunt Waters, and tell all to pray for this place and for 
me. May the Lord direct in all things. 
Your Husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Gouverneur, March 21, 1846. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

Yours came to hand last eve. The meeting is get- 
ting quite interesting now. There have been somewhere 

*He purchased a small place at Stows Square to which his family was 
moving when this was written. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 289 

between 1 5 and 20 hopeful conversions, among others is 
S. F. The other churches begin to come in a little, and 
several conversions in connection with the families of the 
Baptist church. They see that the Lord is evidently in 
the midst of us. The first church evidently feels that 
they are in a bad predicament. The house is pretty well 
filled every evening, and considering all things, quite well 
in the day time. Those we hope who have given up all 
for God, appear very well, and are quite strong, and seem 
to take delight in the cause of Christ. And there have 
been a good number of backsliders brought to bow at 
the foot of the cross and renew their covenant to the 
Lord. There is much opposition from the wicked. One 
brother had his harness cut the other evening, but not so 
as to prove fatal, as he found it out before he started for 
home. Still the opposition is giving away to truth. 
Last evening there were over thirty forward for prayers, 
and they seemed to feel that now is the accepted time. 
One of them is a reclaimed drunkard. Now pray much 
that God would overrule this work in the salvation of 
many precious souls, and to His own honor and glory. 
The cause is His. May we be His willing consecrated 
instrument, just what He wants us to be. When I shall 
be at home I cannot say. But soon as consistent with 
duty to God and His cause. Love to all. Pray much 
for this place and for me. 

In haste, your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



290 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Gouverneur, March 30, 1846. 
My Dear Wife: 

I suppose by this time you want to know what we 
are doing. I write so many letters east, west, north 
and south that I cannot tell when and where I begin 
and end, and so I have forgotten where my last closed 
to you. But for a few days the Lord has been with us. 
There have been between thirty and forty hopeful con- 
versions. Several heads of families brought to bow at 
the foot of the cross. You will probably remember R. 
S. of this place (the Abolitionist). He, his wife, daughter 
and son have all come over on the Lord's side. I have 
been to see H. W., he is in poor health. I am afraid he 
will never be any better. He has been out to meeting 

April 1. once or twice and was forward for prayers, 
and had some feeling. His wife is a fine woman, and 
feels very deeply for him, prays with him, seems very 
anxious about him. But what may be his fate I cannot 
tell. I shall probably call upon him in the morning. 
Last night the house was jammed full, and when we sent 
the congregation away, requested such as desired prayer 
to tarry, there were seventy or eighty came forward, and 
more than two-thirds of them young men, and some of 
the hardest cases there are in the place. There seems a 
giving away of the prejudice in minds of the old church. 
But they have a most dreadful account to give for the 
awful responsibility they are exerting on the minds ol 
many of the impenitent whom they hold under their own 
hand, and try to discourage them from attending meet- 
ings, j |JBut may God show them their hearts. But I 
want a heart to be more like Christ, and bear all things 
for Jesus' sake. This afternoon there were six or seven 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 291 

we hope gave up all for Christ. To His name be all the 
glory, and the honor and the praise for all the wonders 
He has done. The Baptist brethren take hold some and 
God is greatly blessing their families. Two of the con- 
verts were baptized yesterday, Monday evening. I 
preached this evening from Luke 15: 10, and the Lord 
helped me. There were some sixty men and forty wo- 
men forward for prayers, and a deep feeling pervaded 
A goodly number who had been careless submitted to 
the Lord. A young lady who told me to-day she did 
not wish to be a Christian now and with whom I had 
some plain talk, to-night came forward and cried aloud 
and we hope for mercy (she had been very rude and vain), 
but to-night she was all dissolved in tears of tenderness 
and sorrow. A young man who formerly lived in Ant- 
werp, Mr. I., gave up all to Christ as his Savior; two 
young ladies from the Quaker settlement have been re- 
claimed from their wanderings, daughters of the merchant 
S. at that place. They appear well. I find it is no small 
obstacle in the way that they have to come to the Second 
church. The opposition has been so great that those 
who do come have to be fully persuaded in all their 
course, and so makes them more decided than ever. It 
"ApnTTT -is midnight, I must retire. April 1st. I 
called on H. W., his health is very poor, we had a season 
of prayer and he promised the Lord he would do his 
whole duty.J He came out to meeting in the evening 
and told the congregation that he would serve God and 
said he wanted they should pray for him. His wife's 
twin sisters we hope have given up their hearts to God, 
and prayed with us, may it prove a genuine work ot 
grace, and they show themselves to be the true followers 



292 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

of Jesus Christ. Opposition in some is giving away, and 
the work is spreading over the town, and there have been 
some very interesting cases of conversion. Brethren 
April 2. here feel like getting low before God. April 
2nd. Yesterday and last evening was a good day, several 
hopeful conversions and quite an increase of feeling, the 
house is crowded so that we have to make seats. I can- 
not say anything about how many conversions there 
have been. But there is much to be done yet. H. D. 
S. opposes the meeting very much, and says he will not 
own any thing done in the meeting. But if the Lord 
blesses the means used for the salvation of sinners for 
whom Christ died, to His name we will ascribe all the 
glory, and be thankful that He can use us as instruments 
to do His will. The appearance of things here is such 
that I do not much expect to get away immediately. 
Brother Pond and family join in sending love to you. 
Pray much for me and this place. 

As ever, your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



April 4, 1846. 
Dear Wife : 

The stage went before I could have a chance to mail 
my letter, and so I say a word or two more. I had an 
interview a few days since with Rev. Mr. B., and I find 
him to be a most unpleasant and disagreeable opposer to 
everything good that does not come to his standard. 
He said I came to this place to pull myself up into noto- 
riety by taking hold of the skirts of his coat ! Wonder- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 293 

ful ! What an exalted privilege that would be ! Poor 
man, he is to be pitied for his stupidity. Oh, for a soft 
and tender heart towards him. When he got penned 
up and could not say more, then he would indulge in the 
outbursts of "fools," "ungentlemanly," etc. He is in trou- 
ble, I cannot but think, and I do pray God that he may see 
his sin and repent of it. His church begins to get into 
the work of the Lord. Yesterday they had their regular 
Friday meeting, and those who had been in attendance on 
the meeting could not hold on any longer, and broke 
over their bounds, men and women, and he found him- 
self penned up in rather close quarters. I know " God 
can make the wrath of man to praise Him," etc. I have 
heard from Malone. The Lord still is carrying on His 
work there gloriously, Some eighty or more have been 
examined to unite with the church, sixty have united. 
Pray much. Live at the feet of Jesus. Let nothing be 
done through strife or vain glory. I want my . dear fam- 
ily to enjoy the stated means of grace. What is an 
abode on earth in comparison with an inheritance in 
light ? I must close. I have taken a severe cold and 
my nights' rest is broken and tedious. But all is right. 
Love to all. 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



An extract. 

Gouverneur, May 27, 1846. 
An extract from an account of the work of grace 
in Gouverneur, dated May 27th, 1846. Taken from 



294 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

the Baptist Register, volume 23, No. 17, May 29th, 
1846. 

Such was the situation of this people. In a church 
of something over two hundred members, there were 
thought to be but few family altars on which the incense 
of prayer ascended to God. Our prayer meeting only" 
had a name to live, and this was so poorly attended that 
its vitality was somewhat called into question, while 
few frequented the public worship of God on the Lord's 
day. 

About the first of March (the time we commenced 
our labors here) Mr. Wickes of the Congregational order 
began a series of meetings with the Second Congrega- 
tional church in our village. Though we could not ap- 
probate all his course, he presented much gospel truth, 
directed the sinner to Christ as the only ground of justi- 
fication, the only hope of salvation. It was soon ap- 
parent that God was accompanying the truth to the 
hearts. The change in the moral aspect of things is 
truly astonishing. Our sanctuary is filled to overflow- 
ing. Our prayer meeting and lectures are nearly every 
evening, and full, solemn and interesting. The work is 
still progressing. Such was the instrumentality that 
whatever of this work is genuine must be of God. To 
Him be all the praise both now and forever. 
• Your brother in Christ, 

J. H. WEBB. 



^ 



OHAPTEE XXII. 



MEETING IN OSWEGO. 




Oswego, Jan. 20, 1847. 
My Dear Brother : 

OD willing, I mean to endeavor to prepare the 
way among my people. I mean, I hope to 
preach and pray and labor to the end of intro- 
ducing Zion's King emphatically among us. We have 
Letter from minis- had two sermons of interest within two 
term that place, years, but not at all commensurate with 
our necessities. Many are perishing in sin around, 
and comparatively but little is doing directly for 
their salvation. I write you to advise you of my 
wishes and plans, and to ask you to come and 
spend a few weeks with us, commencing about the 
first of December. Can you do so? This is an im- 
portant field. We need a thorough breaking up. I wish 
to calculate in God's strength for a siege that may 
result in the capture of the place. I need your assis- 
tance or the assistance of some one much, and my 
mind for some time has been turned to you. In 

295 



296 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

God alone is help. But we must show our belief in 
that doctrine as supposed by corresponding labor. 
Write me soon. And if it be the Lord's will, may 
you come full of the blessing of eternal life. 

With esteem and affection, yours truly, 

C. JONES. 



Oswego, Jan. 14, 1847, 
Little Emma. An extract. 

In a letter to his little daughter E. gives her a 
short history of his journey to Oswego. The places 
at which he called. The number of inhabitants. The 
churches he passed. The persons on whom he called. 
His arrival at Oswego, was welcomed by Mr. J. the 
minister. Preached that evening though fatigued and 
almost sick. About two hundred and fifty persons were 
present at meeting. In the morning took a walk, found 
much worldly business, a village of six thousand in- 
habitants. Probably many wicked, some of them 
at least And a great many things, are very dis- 
couraging. Closes by praying that the Lord would 
bless her and all the dear ones at home. That all may 
love and serve the Lord, with expressions of affection. 

L.A. WICKES. 



Oswego, Jan. 14, 1847. 
To Rev. G. Cross, Dea. White, Walker, Allen, 

AND OTHERS: 

I hasten to take a moment to drop you a line. I 
reached home the night I left Richville, about eleven at 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 297 

night after a tedious and lonely ride and walk (for I 
found considerable bare ground.) It was lonely for I 
thought much of those dear friends whom I had left be- 
hind, and the hours of seven and nine, I could almost see 
them bowing around the altar for prayer, and spirits 
mingling together. I took an addition to my cold, and 
was about sick, but could not be still. I left for this 
place on Tuesday morning amidst many misgivings of 
soul, and reached here last evening about six o'clock, 
and found things in a most wretched and disturbed 
state in the church, difficulty between members and min- 
ister; and carried so far that they have thrown up a re- 
quest before the presbytery to have the pastoral relation 
dissolved. Though a large majority of the church have 
been and are still strongly attached to their minister, and 
will consent to no such dissolution. But such is the 
state of things here that if I had known before I came 
what I know now, I do not think I should have come. 
Perhaps I should have done wrong. And even now I 
hardly know what duty is, I have been a great mind to 
get into my sleigh and leave. But it rains, and the roads 
are nearly bare /or four or five miles out, and I must stay 
a little at least. Oh how I need faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ. It is an important field of labor, and much 
ought to be done. There is population of about six 
thousand, and much wickedness is to be found here. It 
may be God will regard His own great name and honor, 
and many may be led to the Lord Jesus Christ. I do 
hope you will most earnestly remember me and this peo- 
ple at a throne of grace, and especially often call upon 
the name of the Lord for me. Remember the hours of 
seven and nine in the evening. Tell all to pray. I do 
19 



298 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

not forget you. I do love to bear you to the throne of 
grace that God will help and sustain you. Say to those 
dear young converts look to Christ earnestly. Seek after 
duty and do it, and joy and gladness shall be yours. 
Time fails to write more now. Let me hear from you 
all. Pray for me, and mine, and for Oswego. 
Your brother in Christ, 

L. A. WICKES. 



OSWEGO, January, 14, 1847. 
My Dear Wife: 

You will see what I have written to E., I have only 
time to add that I find things in a very bad state here 
indeed, a part of the church want to get rid of their min- 
ister, and have circulated a subscription accordingly, and 
the whole has been thrown before their Presbytery for 
their decision, some do not like brother J. because he takes 
his stand on the subject of abolition, and preaches against 
all the popular sins of the day, and I find there is con- 
siderable commotion about him, and there is such a state 
that if I had known about it before I came I think I 
should have felt it was my duty not to have come, at 
least at this time. Though it may be for the good of all. 
Yet I find it is hard to get the minds of people off from 
their old and besetting sins. The morals of this place 
are dreadful indeed, and nothing but the power of God 
can reach the ear of this people. And I find after so 
long a time that they are far from being anywhere ready 
or prepared to take hold of the work of God, or even to 
commence meeting in the day time. Do pray much for 
this people. It is an important field of labor. Much 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 299 

good or much evil must follow this meeting", and let us 
lie humble before the Lord. It may be God's will to 
think upon us, and He will give us His salvation and con_ 
fer life upon souls here. May God protect us all. I am 
very comfortably provided here as to room, etc., but I 
feel poorly prepared for the work before me in soul or 
body. I have found much delight and consolation in 
reading the forty-sixth Psalm. Oh for the faith which 
the Psalmist of Israel had. Let me hear from you. 
Give my love to all. Pray much for me. 

As ever your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



An extract. 

OSWEGO, February ist, 1847. 
My Dear Wife: 

I catch a moment this morning to drop a line to you. 
As to the state of things here. They are worse and 
worse. I find that they had assumed a very bad state 
before I got here, between the church, or a part of them, 
and their minister. And one party says "if we don't 
have a revival the other will drive our minister off," and 
the other says if they do we shall have to keep him, and 
the motives of both to be equally wrong, and the feeling 
wicked. While there are some who are seeking God's 
glory and honor. And they had a case of discipline of a 
wicked member, and just got through with it as I got 
here or the week before. It was a presbytery trial, but 
some of the presbytery had their eyes open, and presby- 
tery set aside the whole of the case, and the brother is 



300 LIFE A^JD LETTERS OF 

restored, and the church has to go over the matter again. 
I find the difficulties in the church are such that it is 
almost impossible to bring things to an humble and cor- 
dial agreement between them, some say this meeting was 
gotten up for the purpose to reinstate their minister into 
the good favor of the people, and that if they come in 
they would be considered as sustaining the church in 
their course, and so there is an awful pull-back. I shall 
wait but a few days more to see the real state of things, 
and what prospects there may be before me. It is meet- 
ing time and I must go. Half past ten, evening. With 
the various reports before me I have taken two different 
expressions of the people for the continuance of the meet- 
ing, or whether they would have one, and have each time 
had a decided expression of the people in favor of it. I have 
then concluded to hold on. There have been previous to 
this, somewhere between twelve and twenty hopeful con- 
versions and quite a large number of backsliders reclaim- 
ed. I thank God for it. To-night there were about forty 
forward for prayers. Some of them backsliders, and five 
or six professed to give themselves up to the Lord. 
This is the second time I have given opportunity to 
come forward for prayers in the church. We have gen- 
erally resorted to the basement of the church where the 
meetings are held during the day. The text I preached 
from to-night was Prov. 8 : 36. Thus in the midst of all 
our discouragement the Lord does and has appeared as 
our helper and defense. To Llis name be all the glory 
given, for His hand hath done the work. Still the church 
is in a very unpleasant and dead state, and none of them 
feel as they should in view of all the work that is before 
them. There have been some three or four sailors con- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 301 

verted we hope. I believe if the people of God were 
where they ought to be, there would be a great break up 
here and much good done, might be seen here accomplish- 
ed. Tues. afternoon. I would just say to-day has been a 
good day, and there seemed to be much brokenness of 
heart among the church, and others. What may be the 
final result, God only knows. I pray it. may be for the 
furtherance of His cause, Pray much for me and for this 
place, and that "God would bring order out of confusion, 
light out of darkness." 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Oswego, January 15, 1847. 

Dear and Honored Parents : 

Half-past nine, just returned from evening meeting 
will drop you a line. I left Richville, St. Lawrence 
County, on the 6th instant. We had a good and. glo- 
rious work. It was as hard and as laborious a meet- 
ing as I have ever engaged in. We had but little good 
going, and the mud was awful, and I had to travel 
about much on foot to get around at all. There were 
some as interesting cases of conversion as I have ever 
known in my life, and as clear cases of conversion as I ever 
knew in any meeting or revival. Among them were 
several men from sixty to seventy-five years of age. One 
man who had been one of the boldest in sin, and been 
trying all in his power to lead others astray and was 
rather an infidel, was in such distress, and yet determined 
to resist the spirit of God, that he felt there was no 



302 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

mercy for him, and begged of Christians to pray that if 
there was no mercy for him, that God would lay him in 
the grave, for he was only making his damnation more 
dreadful and aggravating. But the Lord, we trust, did 
have mercy upon him, and he came like a lamb to the foot 
of the cross. Many were so cut down that they cried 
out in the congregation, "what shall I do." There was 
the earnest cry for mercy, and they found peace and hope 
in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. One young man 
rose with his hands over his face and cried out "what 
shall I do, I can stand it no longer." We hope he found 
Jesus precious to his soul. Some individuals where the 
cries for mercy were truly heart rending only for their stub- 
bornness in not being willing to give up, until it seemed 
to be like giving up of the ghost. There were some- 
thing over a hundred that gave pleasing evidence of their 
being the Lord's. To His name be all the glory and the 
honor, for His hand hath gotten the victory. I will praise 
Him for what He has done. My soul shall magnify the 
name of the Lord, and I feel that if I shorten my days 
let me die laboring for the souls of friends and for whom 
Christ died. I have a constant cough, and I sometimes 
think that I am on the last days of my life. God can 
sustain me even yet. I reached this place on the evening 
of the 13th, and find things not very encouraging to work 
with prospects that are around here. It is an im- 
portant field, and one where much good or evil may be 
done to the cause of Christ. I am laboring with the 
Second church, Rev. C. J. is their pastor, and reputed to 
be a good and faithful man. I feel entirely incompetent to 
the task before me, my only hope is in the Lord of hosts. 
The forty-sixth Psalm has afforded me much consola- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 303 

tion, yet I do want more of that living confidence in the 
Lord, and that holy reliance on His eternal hand. I think 
I can truly say "Prone to wander, Lord, I feci it." Still 
to His dear cross I would cling as my only help and sup- 
port. I do earnestly hope that you will remember me in 
your prayers and this place, that the arm of the Lord will 
be made bare for salvation, and His great name may be 
honored. I came into this place with a determination 
not to have it known that I had any connection around 
here. But yesterday after meeting, a gentleman asked 
me if I had any connection in L. (about eighteen miles 
from here), I told him I supposed I had some distant 
connection. He wanted to know if Mr. B. was a relative 
of mine. I told him he was. He said he thought he 
saw a family resemblance, and that he had often heard 
Mr. B. speak of a nephew he had in the north, etc. And 
so I am found out. I may be here some three or four 
weeks, and I may be here but a short time, and I suppose 
they don't care much about seeing me. And mother 
taught me when I was a little boy, "always to let my ab- 
sence be where my presence is not wanted." And I think 
it is time when I am a big boy. Though if duty to the 
cause of my Savior calls me, then I shall go. 

Remember me affectionately to all. Let me hear from 
you soon. May I ask again, pray for me. 
While I remain still your son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Oswego, Feb. 9, 1847. 
Dear Parents : 

I have but a moment to write this evening. I have 
had the privilege of an interview with Uncle C, and he 



304 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

tells me he expects to visit A. in a few days, and I 
thought I would just say that the Lord is among this 
people, and so is the devil in all his mighty strides, 
though he is a conquered foe. And all his army will be 
broken. I find much to do to keep my own heart any 
where near right. But I do try to conquer all. I think I 
never was in a place that opposes so many obstacles to 
the work of the Lord as I find in this place— especially 
among the professed followers of the Lord and Saviour. 
There are a great many who are very serious and who 
seemingly, are near the kingdom of divine grace and 
regenerating love, but not strength to bring forth. There 
have been somewhere about forty hopeful conversions 
since the meeting commenced among them, and back- 
sliders reclaimed, and several sailors and boatmen, and 
some very hard and obdurate cases; and while God in 
His infinite mercy is visiting this place, I do hope you 
will pray for me and for this people. Uncle C. will tell 
you how things appeared to him, and what he saw and 
heard while here. I received a letter from home. They 
write of good being done there. It is somewhat encour- 
aging, and for a blessing on that place little E. writes me 
that she hopes she has given her heart to the Lord, and 
loves to pray and serve the Savior. I do hope and pray 
she may ever be the humble child of grace. She also 
mentions the conversion of some five or six others in the 
neighborhood, but not in connection with the old society. 
May prayers be made in their behalf. 

Let me hear from you soon, and pray for 

Your son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 305 

Oswego, Feb. 15, 1847. 
My Dear Daughter: 

I was glad to get a letter from you. I am very glad 
you have told me about the meetings which you have, 
and of your mates becoming Christians. And you say 
you hope you have, too. I want you to tell me when 
you became a Christian, and what makes you think you 
are a Christian, and all about it. Tell me all about it in 
your next letter. And love the Savior. And if you 
want to be a happy girl, be a kind and affectionate girl, 
and try to be useful, then you can be happy, and such 
happiness will be lasting and will afford you joy in 
the last. Since I wrote you there has been a coming up 
to the help of the Lord in this place among the professed 
followers of Christ, though not all, only in a small pro- 
portion. May the Lord be your guide and protector 
while life shall last, and lead you into all truth, for Jesus 
sake, is the prayer of 

Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WICKES. 
Love to all. 



Oswego, Feb. 15, 1847. 
My Dear Wife: 

I find this to be the most difficult field of labor that 
I have often found or have been placed in. Taking the 
minister and his church, together with the state of soci- 
ety here and the moral training which has been, or the 
no training at all, still the Lord has proved our deliverer. 
There have been some interesting cases of conversions. 
Some men who have been bold in sin and wrong, and 



306 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

who have seemed almost to defy the mighty God, yet 
the Lord has brought them to bow at His feet. There 
have been hopeful conversions to the number of about 
sixty; but what is that in the midst of such a popula- 
tion. The faith of God's people has been and is quite 
small, and if it was not for the thought that I have 
friends praying for me far away, I know not how I should 
possibly get along ; I should soon leave here, and I hope 
to now very soon. But it seems as though the work 
had but just commenced and opposition to it seems 
to be giving away, and religion to be the chief topic of 
conversation in all their circles and conclaves. I do 
pray that the Lord will turn sinners to Himself by scores 
and by thousands. (You did right in paying that tax, but 
it was too much. But you know the Savior paid the 
tax for Himself and Peter, though it was wrongfully 
levied on Him. Let us suffer wrong rather than to 
do wrong, and evince the spirit of our divine Lord- 
And that we may have a conscience void of offense 
toward God and man.) I am glad to hear of the work 
of the Lord among the people. I do hope they will let 
the Lord work by His own power and glory, and not 
trouble Him by their unbelief and isms. 

Uncle C. was here a day or two since from L., 
attended a meeting and preaching ; said to a friend he 
had got amply paid for all his stay, and went away with 
the intention of trying to get me to go to L. and hold a 
meeting, but I think it will be very doubtful, indeed, 
about my going there, though the will of the Lord be 
done. I must go to the ministers' prayer meeting this 
morning, and I must close for the present. The weather 
here is very peculiar and changeable, so that people who 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 307 

are predisposed to a cough are very much exposed, 
indeed. May the Lord protect our little family, is the 
prayer of 

Your affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Oswego, March i, 1847. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

I received yours on Saturday last, and then did in- 
tend to start for home this morning, but they have put 
another slice on the meeting, and one that keeps me 
here only a day or two, and perhaps a week, so I hasten 
to return you an answer immediately. Yesterday I 
preached to the converts; there were something like 
ninety of them seated together, and the most of them are 
interesting cases, indeed. There are several heads of fam- 
ilies that are among the subjects of the work, and quite a 
goodly number of family altars have been built up; and old 
ones are rebuilt. The scene which was before the people 
was such that they could not bear to stop so, and begged 
me to stay a little longer, as there was quite a deepening 
of the work for the last week, and some quite interesting 
cases of conversion. May the Lord still smile for His 
great name's sake, and still bring many more to bow at 
His feet. I have heard from Richville; the work of the 
Lord is still progressing in the various neighborhoods 
around there. * * * * 



C^^^^t^ 



-J) 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



BIRTHDAY LETTER, 1848. 




JgfjEING the thirty-ninth anniversary of the days of 
gtj the life of my pilgrimage, and the twenty-third 
year of my hope in Christ, and the sixteenth 
year of my ministry, fifteenth year of my married life, 
and the fourteenth of my being a father ! 



Stows Square, December 8, 1848. 
Most Honored Parents: 

Yesterday our oldest daughter said, to-morrow pa 
will write to grandpa.' I ran in to sister Anna's and she 
said brother Albanians will be looking for that birth-day 
And so I suppose my parents will look for a letter. But 
if they only looked upon my life as I do, they would 
rather it would be hid until the time of the final revela- 
tion of all things, and when, too, may God prepare me to 
give up my account. For then not only my life with all 
its acts must be revealed, but all the motives that have 
actuated me will be known. And may it please God 
that I may know them now, and not act ignorant of all 
the heart. I find it quite a trial to give my anniversary 
letter, because the opening of a door to that disgusting 
thing called egotism (what / have done), and yet also 
that even when I have entered and feel no such thing in 
my own bosom, yet to others it may appear very much 

308 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 309 

so. And these together have sometimes induced me 
almost to not write another letter. But I may hope in 
the last of these that my parents will pardon me, and 
they will use a little of that cJiarity which "covereth a 
multittide of sins," and will reprove and point out to me 
my errors and all my wrongs, for I find often that when 
I have passed by in review I find myself often to have 
been in the fault, and yet others may see more than I 
can or do at least see. It is seldom I find a friend that 
will tell me my faults. While my enemies are sometimes 
uncharitable and cruel, yet 

"Mine enemy is oft my friend, 

Though wrathful and severe; 
He helps to perfect that great end, 

For which I linger here." 

And I will try to learn from all and improve upon all 
that I learn. When I commenced dating this letter I 
was astonished to see how fast time had fled, and how 
old I was, indeed I had to cipher it out to convince my- 
self that I was so old, and I have come to the conclusion 
thirty-nine years have rolled into the eternal world, and 
are locked up among those things which zuere, but are 
past and gone. And truly I can say that it has been now 
"like the Indian's arrow," not only that life has gone so 
fast, but that each of the events in that date so long ago 
did take place. The day and time of my uniting with 
the church at first I did not recollect, but I think it was 
in the fall of 1826 but am not certain. It was a day 
that I shall probably remember until eternity shall pass, 
still the date I had forgotten. The events of the year 
that has passed are nothing unusual. My labors have 
been very hard, but in rather a new manner for me. You 



310 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

have already been informed that I have preached half of 
the time in Denmark for some over a year. I went 
there of my own accord, without any invitation from 
them. They were living almost without hope and God 
in the world, and only one or two family altars in the 
place. No meetings of any kind. The Sabbath was a 
day of recreation among them, and for miles it was one 
vast desolation. They had had a house that was built 
some years ago for a church, and where they had met 
for worship. This had now been sold for a dairy house! 
and there was no place to meet to worship. There were 
a few females who felt they could not have this state of 
things remain. I finally secured an old academy to 
preach in, but when the Universalists heard I was com- 
ing they offered their house (for they have one there). I 
preached one Sabbath there, and then there was no more 
place for Jesus' blessed truth to be spoken there, for they 
would want the house themselves. So I gave notice 
that I could have the old academy, which was hired for 
a select school by an impenitent young man, and but few 
came, still I continued my labors on during the winter, 
and the house began to fill up, and some moving among 
the dry bones. But directly the select school closed and 
the building must return into the hands of the owner, and 
he a rumseller, and on Sabbath morning as I was about 
entering, the deacon came to me and wanted to know if 
I was coming any longer; I replied, that certainly I was. 
He shook his head and said he was sorry. I asked 
why. He answered Mr. B. the owner of the Academy 
was afraid it would be burned and he had concluded 
not to have any meetings there, and if I only gave 
notice that I could not come any more things would 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 311 

pass off very well. But if I continued to come and there 
was no place to meet in, it would make a great dis- 
turbance in Denmark, and they would censure him 
very hard. I told him if that would make a disturbance 
then I would make a disturbance. If I could get a 
barn or even a door yard to preach in I should con- 
tinue to preach. Just at this moment an impenitent 
man came up and ascertained what was the theme of 
conversation, and he said I will go and see if I cannot 
get it, and soon returned with an affirmative answer. 
I then continued but a short time before the Lord 
moved upon the impenitent and backsliders to start 
for a meeting house. The old Academy became so full 
that all could not get in. The church is now about 
finished, a neat tidy house, and large enough to accom- 
modate all. And I have labored with my own hands to 
procure bread for my own family, while I have been 
laboring with that people for comparatively noth- 
ing, while I have refused calls where I could have had 
a competent salary, and only because I knew something 
must be done for them. And while I have been depriv- 
ing my dear family of many of the comforts of life, I 
trust in Jesus I have been giving to others the bread of 
everlasting life. There are a few who have a heart to 
do but are poor, and they have been turning their hands 
to do all in their power to get a house of worship. 
There have been some few souls that have heen hope- 
fully brought into the kingdom of God, and some have 
died in the triumph of faith. To God be all the glory 
and the praise. A part of my time I have been preach- 
ing in Champion and Carthage where God has seemed 
to smile in a measure. In all, my preaching, lectures on 



312 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Temperance, Anti Slavery etc., number about two 
hundred. This is I feel rather small to what it 
should be. My family I have felt were calling upon me 
for more of a heavenly frame, and yet how far short I 
come from doing all I should. I do feel more the want 
of more converse with God. Though at times I do 
have some blessed seasons of communion with my 
Savior, though not all that sweet communion as in some 
seasons past. Our Heavenly Father knows what will 
be for our good. All send love. Remember me to all 
and ever pray for your eldest son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Stows Square, i 
Dear Brother and Sister : 

With the various duties of life and their constant 
calls, I find myself wafted along through time almost - 
unperceived by me, so that I do not think how long it is 
since I wrote until I take a march backward, and truly 
it has gone, "Swift as the Indian's arrow flies" and 
tarries for none, and to improve it should be our every 
duty. I find that every day brings its duties with it, 
and to defer the duties for another only makes the 
work of to-morr.ow more abundant, especially in the 
things of religion. I reason that if God spares me to 
see the opening of morning dawn, it is because I have 
a work to do, for if my work was done I should be 
called away. Then my duty like the faithful steward 
is to ask what that duty is, and inquire with an in- 
tention of doing it. We had better not know His will 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 313 

than when we have known it to turn away in negli- 
gence. Did you ever reflect on the beautiful eulogy 
which our Savior pronounced on those who obey His 
laws ? I think it one of the most beautiful that can 
be found (Matt 12: 50) " He that doeth the will of my 
Father which is in heaven the same is My brother, 
sister and mother. " How great is the honor which 
He has put upon us to allow us that exalted station. 
And how much greater is the humility which He has 
exercised to condescend to put Himself on a level with 
us ! Still how sweet the expression. How full of 
meaning, of heavenly meaning. To be allowed to call 
the "Prince of glory" brother. To be admitted into 
the family circle of the God of glory. To be inmates 
of the mansion of bliss. Truly may it be said, " 'Tis 
love beyond degree ". But let us not forget the con- 
dition of this exalted privilege : " To do the will of my 
Father which is in Heaven ". He tells us Ps. 40, and 
Heb. 10, his own character was to do the will of God> 
and not only to do the will oi God, but " Delight ' 
to do it. I trust dear brother and sister this is your 
delight. For unless it is our chief delight to keep His 
law we cannot take pleasure in those who do thus 
keep it. And yet the Christian life is one of progress- 
iveness. That we are to look forward unto the per- 
fect man and woman in Jesus Christ. And that we, 
like the Psalmist, be satisfied when we awake in His 
likeness, and not be afraid of getting to be too holy, 
or conquering sin too much. I have had a good 
many thoughts since looking at your likenesses, they are 
frail things but still they may remain when you are 
gone, and this is probably the reason you had them 
20 



314 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

taken. Many and dear are the associations of life, and 
when friends leave us it is not the image that is the 
most dear. Nay it is the moral character which is the 
most to be loved. Yet when life has been useful and 
virtue shown in all its beauty, it is that a view of these 
features may review in memory the whole character. 
Then how important that we live a life of usefulness, 
that like Abel yet may speak. Mary (in the Gospels) 
left no delineation of her features, nor the color of her 
hair, yet how sweet does the record of her devotion 
to her Saviour, make her appear, when it is said she 
wiped His feet with her hair. O what a con- 
trast to the vain pride of this world. May the Lord grant 
that we may all have her humble spirit. Write soon 
and let us know all. And all serve God so that we 
may meet in glory is the prayer of your brother, 

LEWIS A. W. 

To Mr. T. Lord and Jane Lord. 



A< 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



MEETINGS AT BOONVILLE, BROWNVILLE, 
LA FARGEVILLE, AND LETTERS TO 
PARENTS AND MOTHER AF- 
TER FATHER'S DEATH. 




BOONVILLE, January 19, 1849. 
Brother Cross : 

HAVE only a moment to write and let you 
know my whereabouts. . You may be sur- 
prised to find that I am here. But so it is, 
I am now seated in your brother John's house, 
where God has made bare His arm. I have been 
here a little over two weeks, and awful dark has it 
been in this place. But the Lord has truly made His ap- 
pearance among us. Last Monday your brother said if 
I would go some three miles to see some that were quite 
deeply convicted he would go along " to hold the horse 
for me." So we started. We found that four young 
men whom we had prayed for the evening before had 
gone out to get some of their mates and comrades to go 
to the Lord with them. We called at one or two houses, 
and then went back where we first called, some six im- 
penitent ones who were cut down to the very earth, and 

315 



316 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

after talking a little while we bowed in prayer. I asked 
your brother to begin and he did so, and the Lord helped, 
and so Ave all prayed, and salvation came ; I prayed and 
all followed me, and it was a feast; all, we hope, gave 
themselves to God. There have been somewhere about 
thirty souls that have bowed to Christ. Some that the 
first night that I was here were engaged in the ball-room, 
to-day we hope have given all to Christ. To God be all 
the glory given, and the honor. The minister, Mr. N., is 
a young man, rather poor health, but a willing spirit. 
And nearly all the labor comes on me. I should be glad 
to meet you once more on the battle ground. The meet- 
ing I think will not be a two-months meeting. But yet 
we cannot say how long. And your brother says that you 
said that you would come if you knew when they had a 
meeting. Tell the dear people in R. to pray for me and for 
this place. And urge daily their request before God. The 
bell has rung and I must close. Your brother and fam- 
ily send love. Pray that God will direct me in my field 
of labor. Love to deacon W. and all the rest of the 
friends. And remember me to sister Cross and the chil- 
dren. 

As ever yours, 

L. A. WICKES. 



BOONVILLE, January 22, 1849. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife : 

I had hoped that by this time I could start to em- 
brace home once more. But such is the state of things 
that I find that I cannot, and I know not when I can. 
The Lord is truly with us. While there is a good deal 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 317 

of feeling and a few have come to Christ in the village, 
among which are L. H. and A. C, and some twelve or 
fifteen more, the most are out of the village. Nearly 
all of one school district is brought to bow at the foot of 
the cross. The work has commenced among the young 
men. Last evening there were about sixty forward for 
prayers. And most of them hoped they had given all 
to Christ. Among whom are several school teachers. 
To God be all the glory. Some who the first time I was 
here were in the ball room, are now seen in the praying 
circle calling on the Lord. But there is a most powerful 
opposition. And there is a disposition to run into infi- 
delity. I have to do nearly all the labor connected with 
the pulpit and much out of it. Brother Northrop, their 
minister, complains much with his throat and is quite fee- 
ble a part of the time. We have had meetings only part 
of the day and evening, and I do not know as I can get 
any more. I am afraid that they are so covetous that 
they will grieve the Spirit away from them. Some of the 
members of the church are even counting how much it 
costs them every day to go to meeting, and what it may 
cost them in the end. Still this is not the case with all. 
There is an appearance of an abundant harvest. And 
may God grant it may be the case for Jesus' sake. I am 
rather fearful that I cannot be at Denmark next Sabbath. 
I shall write to brother Wait to supply them if he can 
and I will come as soon as I can. I feel much anxiety 
about them, and hope that God will overrule all for His 
glory and His honor. 



318 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

Tell Emma and Sarah to be good children, love the 
Savior and do not forget their Bibles. 

How does Aurelia do, etc. ? Love to all. 
Pray much for your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



BOONVILLE, January 23d, 1849. 
My Dear Daughter: 

To his daughter 1 thought you would like to know what we 
A. E. Wickes, are doing here, and though I have but a mo- 
attending school ment to write, still I will improve the moment. 
at Denmark. The Lord truly is in the midst of the people, 
and many are the souls that hope they have bowed at 
the foot of the cross, among which is your former 
friend L. H. and Mr. C.'s niece, A. The Lord has most 
graciously visited the whole place and many have turned 
to the Lord. There are several that at the first night of 
the meeting were in the ball room, and are now seen bow- 
ing at the feet of the Savior asking for mercy and plead- 
ing for sinners. While there are a goodly number in the 
village that hope they have given all to the Savior, the 
work is mostly in the country around. Last evening 
there were one hundred persons forward for prayers and 
more than twenty spoke and hoped that they had given 
up all to Christ, and the work seems only just begun. I 
have wished that you were here, but such is not the case, 
and we must be at the disposal of our heavenly Father. 
I hope, my dear daughter, that you do not forget to bow 
your knee to your Savior all the time and look to Him for 
help, and make the Savior your only guide and help. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 319 

There is nothing" I desire more of you than that you 
make the life of the Christian your great aim, and while 
you apply your mind to your studies, and make all the im- 
provement you can, I hope you will feel that all must be 
done for the glory of God. I can not now say when I 
may be home, but I will be at D. as soon as I can. I 
wish you would let me know all that is doing in D. Do 
they have good congregations in the church ? May the 
Lord be your constant guide, is the prayer of 
Your affectionate father, 

L. A. WICKES. 

To AURELIA E. WlCKES. 



BOONVILLE, Oneida Co., Jan. 31, 1849. 
Dear Parent : 

You perceive by this that I am some twenty-five 
miles nearer you than I have been before for some time. 
I have been for about four weeks holding a series of 
meetings with this church. The meetings are held only 
afternoons and evenings. There have been some one 
hundred who profess hope in the Savior's love. They 
are from eighty years old down to ten and twelve- years. 
Let us ascribe all honor and glory to God, who alone is 
worthy. Their minister is a man of feeble health, and is 
not able to be out to meeting but a part of the time, and 
all the labor nearly comes on me. With a bad cold and 
hoarseness I find I am almost used up, and feel some- 
what inclined to stop. But such is impossible, while the 
whole region is on the move. May God give me strength 
equal to the labors which he has put upon me. And 



320 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

pray for me that God will direct. I write in haste. 
Please excuse this scribbling. Love to all inquiring. 
While I remain your son. 

L. A. VVICKES. 



BOONVILLE, February 6, 1849. 
My Dear Wife: 

I catch a moment to drop you a line and let you 
know how things move here. I did intend to start for 
home yesterday, but such was the state of feeling that it 
was an almost unanimous request that I should tarry 
longer. I preached on the Sabbath to the converts; there 
were over one hundred seated together, and were of all 
ages, such a scene as Booneville never saw before, and while 
they saw it they felt they could not for a moment be 
satisfied with what they then saw, and it was one of the 
most painful parts of it that others should be left behind, 
and they felt they would do all in their power to advance 
the cause. I then concluded to stay and do what I 
could for the cause here. The church has not taken 
hold as a general thing, and there is a sure help only in 
the few. Yesterday there was quite a number of new- 
cases, and this afternoon we had to have prayer three 
times at closing the meeting, and there were some, 
we trust, brought to bow at the foot of the cross. To 
God be all the glory. My fear is now that I cannot be 
home before the Sabbath, and what will poor Denmark 
do ? If I can come I shall, and do what I can to get 
away consistent with truth and duty, and it will only 
be the great sense of duty that will keep me here 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 321 

Pray that God will direct me for His holy name's sake 
and I will cheerfully obey. I do not know of any one 
that I can get to supply my place in Denmark if I do 
not come. Tell all to pray much. The bell is ringing* 
I must close. Love to all. In love and haste, 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Booxville, Feb. 1 8, 1849. 

My Dear Wife: 

You see I am up at this late hour, half-past eleven 
o'clock, to redeem my promise. To-night there has been 
a general move among many who have before stood aloof 
and opposed, and it has taken hold of the village people. 
There were some thirty-six entire new cases forward for 
prayers, and one lawyer. The village school teacher 
(one of the ball characters >, one fancy painter, and one 
tailor (ball character), hoped they gave all to Christ to- 
night, with some others. And the prospect is now that 
I shall not be able to be at home in season to attend that 
wedding, and must very reluctantly give it up.* Perhaps 
I may be at home in season, but they had best not de- 
pend on me, for I might entirely disappoint them. You 
see how I am placed now. And let me ask you to pray 
much for me that God would lead me into the path of 

*This was an answer to a request to attend a wedding on the 
21st, in D., who would feel very much disappointed not to have him 
perform the ceremony. When the request the day previous came 
there had then nothing very special taken place, though there was 
some moving out around the village. ' He felt he needed unerring- 
wisdom to return a negative answer. 



322 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

duty and of God. Oh, how I need His Holy Spirit to 
guide me in the path of right, and to fill my soul with 
His spirit. Give my love to all. 

Affectionately, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Boonville, March 2, 1849. 
Dear Wife: 

Do you think I am never coming home ? I have 
been on the eve of starting every day this week, and 
every day new obstacles seem to oppose themselves in 
new cases of conviction and conversions, so that nearly 
all opposition is done with, and some of the most stub- 
born and hardened cases have yielded and turned from 
hatred to love of the Saviour. The work is now going 
right through the village. Several of those who were 
engaged in the ball have been led to Jesus the crucified 
Savior. You would rejoice to be here and participate 
in the work of the blessed Lord. How long I shall stay 
I cannot say, but I am now inclined to say I shall be at 
home on Monday or Tuesday of next week, at the 
farthest. My voice is almost as poor as it has been at 
any time in my previous labors. I have had all the 
preaching to do as yet, though they promised me 
if I would stay they would take hold and preach? 
still they are not able to do much; a weak set 
as to body. Some fifty or sixty conversions since 
I returned, and I do not know when I have 
held a meeting so long and the interest continue to rise 
as now. The lower part of the church is crowded every 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 323 

night, and about three-quarters full in the daytime. To 
God be all the glory and praise for what He hath done. 
I am anxious to do what I can and get home, still I 
know God will take care of us. But I must close and go 
March 3. out a visiting. I must be constantly on the go. 
As I commenced the meeting by visiting the fore part of 
the day, all think I must do it, and it is harder for me than 
having three meetings a day. Perhaps I may have time 
to add more before the mail goes out and will not close 
it yet. 

3d. I was so constantly engaged that I had not 
time to mail this, and there being no meeting to-night I 
will write you a few lines more. The Lord is still among 
us. There have been a number of hopeful conversions 
to-day, one an awful profane, swearing infidel. He 
was truly made to tremble before God. To God be 
all the glory, the praise and honor. On the 22d of Feb- 
ruary I gave an address to the Washingtonian Society 
and got almost a hundred signers to the pledge. But I 
must close. Pray much for us. Tell the little children 
to be kind. Love to all. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Meeting at Brownville, commencing April n, 1849. 
— Mr. Wickes had had a call to go to Brownville. 
On his way thither he arrived at Watertown, where 
An Extract, he found his dear old friend, Prof. Whitford, 
lying at the point of death. A council of physicians 
had been called, who said he could not live twenty-four 



324 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

hours. The afflicted family urged Mr. Wickes to remain 
with them through the trying ordeal.; he accordingly 
rode to B. and filled his evening appointment, and 
returned to his suffering friends after the service, the dis- 
tance being about six miles. Prof. W. passed away the 
next morning about seven o'clock, leaving the wife and 
only remaining daughter very sad and lonely, as a short 
time previous they had buried their only son and brother. 
Mr. Wickes was requested to preach the funeral sermon 
upon the next day, which was the Sabbath. It was a 
peculiarly trying place for him. He went back to Brown- 
ville and preached in the afternoon and evening. Some 
feeling was manifested ; two arose for prayers, and 
one individual arose and confessed. He preached 
again Sabbath morning and in the afternoon attended 
the funeral and preached: "The Lord helping him," from 
I Thess. 4: 14, Revs. Brayton and Snyder in the pulpit 
assisting him. A large assembly were present. In the 
evening he again returned and preached in B. Some 
interest was manifested, but not as much as he had ex- 
pected, and there were some disheartening occurrences 
followed. A ball was gotten up among other obstacles, 
" That, you know," he wrote to his wife, " is necessary in 
these days to the opening of a revival of religion {i. e.) if 
we judge from other places." 

The following extracts from a letter tell a little more 
of the results of the meeting. 

Brownville, May 4, 1849. 
Dear Brother and Sister Cross: 

For more than a week I have been trying to get a 
place to write you a few lines. But I found it impossi- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 325 

ble. It was either some one sending for me to visit the 
sinner, or else some one calling to converse with me, and 
to know what they should do to be saved. And talking 
and praying all the time until ten and eleven o'clock at 
night, and then I was too much fatigued to write to any 
one. * * * * * 

There had been a meeting held here evenings for some 
six weeks before I came here, though I found things in a 
much less interesting state than I expected. There had 
been some few conversions, and the church had been 
made more faithful, and difficulties had been settled, and 
brethren were made to be faithful with each other. 
There have been quite a goodly number of conversions, 
and many backsliders reclaimed, and the work seems to 
be increasing and deepening all the time. There have 
been some quite interesting cases of conversion. To God 
be all the glory. * * * But I must break off and go 
and see some anxious sinners ; may the Lord have mercy 
on them. 

Saturday, 5th. I catch my pen a moment more be- 
fore I have any calls. The Lord was truly in our midst 
yesterday and last evening. Truly God was in our 
midst. There was among others, one of the ring leaders 
in balls and parties brought to bow at the foot of the 
cross, with an humble confession, all broken and bathed 
in tears. I do hope to see much done in the cause of 
Jesus still in this place. 

Pray for us that God may be our director and that we 
may be His willing subjects, for His great name's sake. 
You have probably heard of the death both of Mr. 
Whitford and of his son. The first Sabbath that I was 
here I Tiad to go to Watertown to preach his funeral ser- 



32G LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

mon. Thus father and son have both been taken away 
and truly they are an afflicted family. Truly, how pe- 
culiar are the dealings of God, and " His ways past find- 
ing out." I pray God it may be blessed to all of us. 

Tell Nettie to love and serve the Lord. Be more like 
the Saviour; and Delia to live for Jesus, and God shall 
be her helper in every place. Johnny, be a good boy and 
make father and mother happy. But other duties call 
and I must close this hasty scribbled sheet. Remember 
me affectionately to all the dear friends in B. Let me 
hear from you soon. 

With Christian love I am your brother in Christ, 

L. A. WICKES. 



La Fargeville, Jefferson Co., N. Y., ] 
November 19, 1849. j" 
Dearest Mother : 

I have just heard from home, informing me that 
father has gone to the salt water for his health. I have 
wanted to hear from you very much, in your loneliness, 
and it must be a trial to you, his absence and his ill 
health, to have all this upon your heart. Still, dear mo- 
ther, God has carried you through trials and borne you up 
when no arm but His could sustain you. We would be 
resigned to the will of the Lord. Yet affections still 
cling around those we love. But, in the midst of all, 
there is a sweet consolation in the thought that Jesus 
will do all things right. I have been here only about 
three weeks, and preached every day. When I came 
here everything was then most forbidding, that there 
could be apparently. But the Lord has appeared for our 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 327 

help, some thirty or forty hopeful conversions, and all of 
them appear quite well. There were about eighty for- 
ward for prayers last evening. Quite a number of heads 
of families have been among the number of hopeful con- 
verts. To God be all the glory for His hand hath done 
the great work. Remember me to C. and F. I wish F. 
was here, I think she would love to see the work of God, 
and be a sharer in it. In haste but in much love. 

Your Son, 

L. A WICKES. 



La Fargeville, Dec. 4, 1849. 
My Dear and Affectionate Wife: 

Things here have been quite encouraging for a few 
days. Last week was a very hard week, although there 
were some all the time coming to Christ, yet the work 
was up hill. Their temperance meeting was very bad 
business, and very much diverted the mind. There was 
such a bad spirit, etc. And things have all the time 
been hauled up to keep the mind diverted. There have 
been somewhere between eighty and one hundred hopeful 
conversions. To God be all the glory given. I have 
been quite at a loss what I should do or when to leave. 
But have concluded to go to Depauville to-morrow, and 
am in hopes that my stay will be short. Depauville is 
about seven miles from here, and the prospects are rather 
favorable, though I know we cannot possibly tell what 
may be. I do not anticipate anything without the bless- 
ing of the Lord. May God direct me what to do for His 
name's sake. Let us watch and pray and live for heaven 



328 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

and for Jesus. So that we may have His favor. And 
"His favor is better than life." Dear wife, if God can 
make us the instruments of bringing souls into the king- 
dom of Christ, let us indeed feel that we will rather suffer 
the privations of this life, for. God will hold us up, " He 
will never leave nor forsake those that put their trust in 
Him." Write immediately. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



December 4, 1849. 
Dear Sister E.: 

I wrote to daughter A. from here a few days since. 
Since which the Lord has greatly appeared for our help, 
and many souls have been brought to bow at the foot of 
the cross. Last evening there were about eighty for- 
ward for prayers, and there are some thirty or forty that 
hope in the Lord. And you would have seen, if here, 
a most melting time. At my room after the noon meet- 
ing, there were ten young ladies that came to converse 
with me. We bowed in prayer and had been on our 
knees but a short time before there was a room full cry- 
ing out for mercy all around. Some of the most hopeless 
cases to human view that were in the community. There 
are several heads of families that have bowed at the 
foot of the cross, and the work seems only to have 
just commenced. And it seems impossible for me to get 
away. To God be all the glory and the honor for His 
great name has done all. No human arm could do the 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 329 

work that has been accomplished, and seems to be doing. 

Oh, how good it is to be allowed to work for the Lord, 

and see souls brought into the fold of Jesus. We have 

just heard from father, he has gone to the sea shore for 

his health, but it is poorer since he left home. I fear for 

the result. Pray much, may the Lord be our guide and 

all. I must close. Don't fail to write immediately. In 

haste. 

As ever, your brother, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Dec. 4, 1849. In an extract from another letter of the 
same date, he writes, the state of religion is very encour- 
aging. I now board with a Brother L., formerly from 
L. He had built him a new house, and the young peo- 
ple had been making their calculations to have a house 
warming. But they had a different one from what they 
expected. I commenced praying with two young ladies 
that came here to see me about their souls' salvation. 
Before we got off our knees there was a whole circle for 
prayer around the room, and indeed more than could get 
into the room, and they were the very ones who were 
desirous of having a house warming. And four souls 
hoped they gave up all to God. And as one young man 
expressed it, we have had. a "heart warming" instead of 
house warming. And the work seems only to have 
begun. Some who have not been to meeting for 
years have been brought to love and honor the Savior 
who died to redeem their souls from the pit of woe. To 
God be all the glory given. I want more of His presence 

21 



330 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

and spirit, to lead me in the path of duty. May the 
Lord direct. Pray much for me. Love to the children. 

Your husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



La Fargeville, Dec. 8, 1 

Being the fortieth anniversary of my life, by the grace 
and mercy of God to me a sinner, through Jesus Christ 
my Lord. 

Dear and Respected Parents : 
Last Bhth- I am so situated to-day that I have but 
day letter a short time to write to you on this my anni- 
Dec. 8, 1849. versary. Yet I will pen a few lines to meet 
your expectations. Is it possible that I am an old man 
forty years old ? I used to think a man of that age was 
an old man, but now I have got there I scarcely know 
where to put myself. But I am just what I am, and 
that too by the grace of God, and may be called a sin- 
ner saved by grace. And I pray may my remaining days 
be all for the glory and honor of God. I have kept you 
advised of all the events of the year so much that I have 
not much to pen to you. I have not all my memoran- 
dum with me, so. that I cannot state the particulars of 
the past year fully. I have only preached. some three hun- 
dred and eighty sermons, attended some one hundred 
and fifty inquiry meetings and visited I know not how 
many families. There have been only some three hun- 
dred hopeful conversions and backsliders reclaimed. This 
is a small number I feel indeed, and a poor report this. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 331 

Yet I do feel that God has in His mercy been my helper 
and my all. His hand has done the work, and to His 
name be all the glory and the honor. He shall be praised 
for all His might}' works among the children of men. 

I sometimes think on account of my hoarseness I will 
give up my constant labors. But still I do not feel that 
it would be pleasing to my heavenly Father. I want to 
do my Savior's will for His names sake, and to advance 
His cause and lead souls to Christ. Oh, it is a blessed 
work. I have been from home only about five months 
this year past, excepting for only a day or two at a time. 
So that you see I am not quite as bad as formerly to be 
absent. I am really anxious to hear about father's 
health. I know you must be in great affliction and filled 
with sorrow: yet I know our compassionate Saviour 
will do all things right and we shall know by and by 
what now is dark to us. Pray, much for me that God 
would lead me, and that I ma}- ever be willing to walk in 
the path of right. With the kindest regards to all. 
The Sabbath before I left L. twenty-five united with the 
branch of Christ's vine and probably as many more will 
very soon. How is our sick father? 

Your eldest affectionate son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Stows Square, Dec 22, 1849, ) 
Saturday, 2 o'clock, P. M. ! 

My Dear and Affectionate Mother: 

I have just returned from Clinton where I had been 
to gel the sick ones home, and the moment I reached 



332 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

After death home with them, the children handed me the 
of his father, telegraphic dispatch announcing the death 

to his widowed °^ tnat ever ^ ear anc * kind P arent - My first 

mother. thought was, I will take a fresh horse (as all 

the stages have left for to-day) and start for Utica, and 
reach Albany by Sabbath noon. Then I felt, how can I 
break God's holy day ? Would that dear father approve ? 
I felt I should be treading on the very sanctity of that 
dear parent's memory, and, besides, I might not reach 
there in time for the funeral. I went to see what Sister 
A. M. could do, and she says that she has not the prep- 
arations ready either for herself or her babe, and it would 
be impossible for her to go. She was very anxious I should 
go, and for our dear mother's sake. But she agreed with 
me that it would not be riglit to travel on the Sabbat 7i, and 
that in view of the great regard which our dear parent 
held that day, it would not be advisable. So I felt that 
I would stay with her and not leave her alone. I may, 
perhaps, visit you in a few days, but cannot tell. It 
would be the joy of my heart to mingle with you in this 
hour of sorrow, but I have thought that, perhaps, I 
might do more good to wait a little time and then assist 
in arranging your temporal affairs. But enough of this. 
Your letter came after I left for C, so that I did not get 
it until after I returned home. I had felt a great anxiety 
to see father ever since I received sister Julia's letter to 
A. M., and should have done so if it had not been for 
the sick about home. But all will be right. And now, 
my dear mother, I know not what to say. My heart is 
full. I cannot weep for him back again. No, no, but 
oh, the home is gone. I think of the living and their 
trials. You speak of your working hard and toiling all 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 333 

day through life. You have, dear mother, and perhaps 
there is none of your children that know it better than 
myself. There are scarcely none of them that can 
remember you in the log house of only one room and no 
cellar, and only rough boards for a cnamber floor, and a 
ladder to ascend. When your oldest son would have to 
run of errands in the winter barefooted, and toiling with 
the needle until midnight, and even longer, to save the 
little that we had; and do your washing before light by 
the light of a pine knot; and from that time to this, God 
truly has helped you. And shall He, dear mother, for- 
sake you in such an hour as this? Will He not help 
you? Shall He not be your guide and your all? Has 
He not promised to be the widow's God, and to protect 
you in these very times of trouble ? May the Lord be 
your guide and support, and feed you with His manna, 
and lead you in all the way of love. 

The sick which I brought home are as comfortable as 
I could expect. I hope this will be improved to our 
good and the glory of God. All our afflictions, for the 
present, seem grievous, but we know that it is the rod 
of a kind Father, and that all things work together for 
good to them that love God. 

Dec. 23. Sabbath afternoon. To-day has been a time 
lonely to me. The storm last night shut us in and 
the Sabbath we have spent at home, and the most 
of the time in private and social prayer, and in 
meditating upon the scenes at your home. I long, I sigh 
to be with you, but I have thought, too, of the kindness 
of the Lord toward us. Oh, how sweet to remember 
that our Savior can feel with us. I have been thinking 
of Him at the grave of Lazarus. He did not chide when 



334 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

with those orphan sisters because they gave vent to their 
troubled spirits in tears. No, but mingled with them in 
their sorrow. O, how much there is in those two words, 
"Jesus wept." He mingled his tears with the lonely and 
showed them that He felt with them. And so, dear 
mother, He can feel for us, and we can go to Him with 
all our affliction with the assurance that He will 
feel for us, and will cherish our request for help. I 
suppose by this hour that you have returned to your 
lonely home, or remained at home, while by others he was 
borne away. But while others are and may prove, 
indeed, very kind, yet, dear mother, you have a promise 
now which you could never plead before, " I . will be the 
widow's God," and His promises are sure. He will pro- 
vide and supply all your wants. Let us hear from you 
soon, and tell us all about the funeral. All join in love 
and in affliction. I now subscribe myself as never before, 
Your fatherless son, 

LEWIS A. WICKES. 




CHAPTER XXV. 



MEETINGS IN DEPAUVILLE, CAPE VINCENT. 



Depauville, Feb. 4, 1850. 

Monday Morning. 
My Dear Wife. 

HIS morning, I catch a moment to let you know 




how things prosper here. The work of the 
Lord has been on the increase ever since I 
came here, and the whole community is on the 
move. God has broken in upon the head ranks of 
the Universalists, and one of the J. family has given 
up all to Christ. I was called up at midnight to go to 
his house and pray for him. On Saturday I preached 
to them from the two thieves on the cross. Among 
others, all three of the physicians of the place were 
forward for prayers. All got up and spoke. One 
of them declared that he had ever been known as a Uni- 
versalist, and that now he still held to the same ; but he 
did not think that he had lived a practical Christian. 
If he could not do it, he would give up his Universalism. 
I think he will find it hard business to mix the two. 
Yesterday we had a perfect jam. There were between 
three and four hundred seated in the slips. There were 
two liundred seated in the aisles, and about a hundred 

335 



330 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

in the orchestra. God helped me to preach all day. 
Morning, Luke 24: 26. "Ought not Christ," etc. After- 
noon, Judges 5: 23. "Curse ye Merez," etc. When at 
the close nearly every person in the house rose in cove- 
nant that they would come up to the help of the Lord. 
In the evening the house was as full as ever. Text, 
Isa. 1 : 2. At the close of which I should think over one 
hundred rose for prayers. After which the choir sat and 
sang in a plaintive tone " Show pity, Lord." There was 
no chance to make any move, but I requested them to 
sing the first and last verses of " Alas, and did my Savior 
bleed." And that all in the congregation who did really 
give themselves to the Lord to serve Him, if they did 
adopt the sentiment of the last verses, to rise. There 
was a deep sigh like eternity all over the house. When 
no sooner than the choir struck the last verse, the whole 
congregation (with the exception of possibly forty) sprung 
to their feet as if each were the only one to rise, and each 
wished to be the first, with their handkerchief over their 
faces. After they had finished the last verse, I repeated 
that if any had risen not understanding it to mean a con- 
secration to God, and as such were expected to do the 
duties of a Christian, they could sit down while the 
choir repeated the verse. But not one sat down while 
the choir sang. O, what an hour was that ! God only 
knows the heart. Time must develop the whole. To 
God, to God, be all the glory for His hand hath done the 
work. At about eleven at night, as I was fixing for bed 
the man that I mentioned to you before, whose wife had 
given up all to the Lord, and he had felt so bad about it 
etc., came to my room and as he entered, said : " I 
want a physician. I have such a load on my heart I 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 337 

cannot live. I went to bed, I could not He there; I had 
to come and get some one to pray for me." We talked 
a little and bowed in prayer. He gave up all to Christ, 
we hope, and went home rejoicing in the Lord. I thank 
my heavenly Father for His great kindness. And let us 
lie humble before Him. But I must close to make one 
or two calls this morning. P. M. We have had a good 
meeting. Several hopefully gave up all to God. And 
yet there is much to be done. And there is great dan- 
ger of their being carried away in a mere whirlwind of 
ecstacy, (I mean professors.) But there is one power 
above all others for our help, and I do hope and pray 
that God will indeed be our strength. And may I be 
humble at His feet and crown Him Lord of all, for He 
alone is worth}'. Half past ten in the evening. I have 
just returned from meeting. The house was crowded to 
overflowing, so that I could make no move in changing 
the house, but to have them rise for prayer, and then 
they could not kneel the house was so crowded, but some 
forty spoke afterwards, and Mr. J. the Universalist, rose 
and said he would lead a different and praying life if he 
could live a Christian Universalist, but would renounce 
his faith as a great error if he could not; and requested 
prayers for his whole family. O, that God may take this 
work in His own hands, and bring order out of confu- 
sion. How many have given up all to the Lord I can- 
not say. But there are many who are not yet brought 
to bow at the foot of the cross. Let us ever look to God 
for help, for Jesus' sake. February 12. An extract. As 
they have been after me from Chamount, six miles from 
this place, I shall not of course go to R. I am glad they 
have got Brother B., as I could not get therein time. 



338 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

How long I shall stay here I cannot tell. The work 
keeps spreading. There have been several interesting 
cases of hopeful conversions. Some cling to error ot 
whom it was hoped better things. But yet God's spirit 
is sti-11 striving with them. The Universalist minister is 
quite faithful in his labors to make men more like the 
devil, and seems to be fearful that all will be lost if they 
forsake Universalism. They had a meeting on Sabbath 
evening. Some got up and talked, told how happy they 
were, and how the gospel saves swearers and all. But 
God may overrule for His glory as it opens the eyes of 
people to see their awful condition, without a new heart 
or love and at the same time say they are prepared for 
heaven. May the Lord have mercy on them. 



Depauville, February 20, 1850. 
My Dear Wife: 

My health is not quite as good as when I first came 
here. I did intend to close here last Sabbath, but such 
was the state of feeling they wanted the meeting to con- 
tinue. There have been over one hundred hopeful con- 
versions and backsliders reclaimed. The house contin- 
uing to be crowded every evening and well filled every 
day. And an advance in interest since the Sabbath. 
The only way they can make any great expression of 
feeling is by holding up the hands. Last Sabbath the 
house was so perfectly jammed that when they took the 
expression for the continuation of the meeting, there was 
a universal holding up of the hand and some of the im- 
penitent held up both hands. How long I shall tarry 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 339 

here I cannot say. I shall have to be at home on the 
4th and 5th of March, to attend to the Turin business.* 
Let us have more of the spirit of Jesus in our souls, and 
make heaven our great aim, that we may finish our 
course with joy. I hope the children will be very indus- 
trious and learn much for their good and ours. I must 
close. Love to all. 

Your poor but affectionate husband, 

L. A. WICKES. 



Depauville,. March 14, 1850. 
Dear Brother Wickes: 

I shall never forget the morning you left Depauville. 
The language of your last prayer here. Since you left 
we have been trying to serve the Lord. You had been 
gone only half an hour when C. F. came to see you start, 
he felt bad because he did not see you. Directly after 
Mr. W. came over and said " is it possible he has gone," 
he could hot restrain his feelings. I then thought it was 
time to start and let the people know you had gone. I 
then went and distributed the cards you left. The first 
house I went in was Brother F.'s, there we had a season 
of prayer. Then I went to Deacon G., and I prayed 
with them, all uniting. Went from there to Mr. M., and 
when on the steps heard prayer. Left and went to Doc- 
tor S., then heard prayer, and left again, going by Doctor 
I., heard him praying, so when I came back, got opposite 
of Mr. F., stopped in the street, heard him praying, and 

* He was guardian to a fatherless young lady. 



340 life and letters of 

likewise Mr. W. It did seem as though the people were 
worshiping God. The meetings since you left, have been 
well attended on the last week. This week I have just 
returned after a short absence. The converts take up 
their duty well. Brother W. did not preach last Sab- 
bath, he was sick. The house was well filled, but ad- 
journed to the Methodist house. Brother B. was a good 
deal embarrassed, but with all, there was a good meeting. 

7 1 O O 

In the afternoon went to Brother L. to a prayer meeting, 
house full, a good meeting. In the evening prayer meet- 
ing in the M. E. Church, a good meeting again. I tell 
you Brother Wickes, I never expected to see such a time 
in Depauville. When I look and see the change that 
has taken place in this village, I cannot but exclaim, to 
God be all the glory through our Lord Jesus Christ. My 
prayer is that you may always be, while on earth, turning 
souls to the Savior. Brother C. F. sends his love to you, 
and I might ask who don't. You have certainly got the 
prayers, if not the hearts of the people. I have been to 
La Fargeville, and the inquiry has been, have you heard 
from Brother Wickes, you have the prayers of the peo- 
ple for your immediate recovery. Dear Brother, there is 
not at present anything in respect of the converts to 
write discouraging, but all do their duty. The young 
people have a prayer meeting, and the house is well filled. 
There is a good .deal of sickness around the village, but 
none of the people that attended the meeting, as I have 
heard of. Many individual friends send love, praying for 
your recovery to health. Pray for us. I remain yours 
in the bonds of Christian friendship, 

ABEL COLMAN 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 341 

Mr. Wickes came home to attend to the court busi- 
ness in connection with his guardianship, remaining 
about two weeks, and going to Cape Vincent, from which 
he wrote. 

Cape Vincent, March 20, 1850. 
My Dear Wife : 

I catch a moment this morning before the mail leaves 
to give you the history of my journey. We arrived at 
Mr. C.'s about 1 1 o'clock, and stayed there until after din- 
ner. When we took buggy and started on in the storm. 
We stopped in Watertown a short time, Mrs. W. not at 
home. We then came on to B. in the mud. The frost 
out of the ground so much, that they were laying plank 
on the road between B. and W. It stormed very hard 
indeed, and began to grow colder. Called upon Brother 
Wood. He gave his consent to have me come here very 
reluctantly, and then I must call and see the brethren at 
D. I did so, and they felt it would be cruel indeed for 
me to come past them. But I finally did come. We 
had a plank road from D. about five miles and then in 
the mud half a hub deep, and so hard that the horse 
would go only a few rods before she would stop. About 
a mile and a half from D. is the village of L. on P. river, 
a village of some twenty-five or thirty houses, but no 
church at all. We arrived at Chamount* about seven 
in the evening, and put up with Rev. Mr. Camfield, who 
very courteously entreated us. I found I had taken cold 
in my neck, and a severe pain in the small of my back. 
I bathed myself with spirits of camphor, rested not very 
well, and in the morning I rose with a severe head ache, 

* Pronounced Shemo. 



342 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

the worst I have had for a long time. Chamount has 
got to be quite a village. But morals have not advanced 
much. They have a stone bridge nearly completed 
across the bay, which cost them about $5,000, which 
now has the appearance of being very durable. The 
next morning I had to foot it a part of the way, and the 
going was very bad. I reached here about twelve o'clock, 
having called once on the way and washed my head 
again with spirits of camphor; and when I reached this 
place I found my head some better. Found things here 
in a very interesting state, and yet not that attendance 
in the afternoon which I expected. Meeting at half-past 
two in the afternoon was very poorly attended, two male 
members, four female members, and six converts, and two 
ministers. I felt strangely, I can assure you, with all 
the description which we had of the state of things to 
meet only a few in this time of interest. I walked around 
the village after meeting, and retired to my room in the 
Rev. Mr. I.'s house. In the evening there was a house 
pretty full, say some three hundred persons out, and a 
good attention. After which there were two hopefully 
brought to bow at the foot of the cross. I have given 
you a brief history up to this morning. I feel better 
than I did yesterday, and nothing is yet unfavorable to 

The last letter myself. April 9th. I have watched the 
while at mail for the last few days to hear from 

his last meeting, you. The developments which have made 
themselves manifest since I wrote have astonished me 
beyond degree. If I had known them before I left home 
you would not have parted with me for this place. There 
was a division of the church in regard to getting help, 
and the minister did not want help, only just because the 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 343 

church would have it. And I have not been able to get 
him to preach a sermon since I came here. I supposed 
all the time it was because he did not feel able to, but I 
found it was because he thought the church did not want 
to have him. And I had this thing to settle between 
them. Brother L. felt they were treating him unkindly, 
for they sent him for me, and supposed that as such it was 
all harmonious, taking things as they were. I then told 
them they were treating me and the people in D. and the 
cause of Christ wrongfully, and I should leave. Then all 
began to beg me not to, for the work would be at an end, 
etc. There were new cases of conversion daily, and the 
work spreading all the time. With the view of closing I 
preached to the converts last Sabbath, when there were 
about one hundred hopeful converts seated together. 
The church, and the wicked, and all were surprised to see 
the number. , And they do all appear very well indeed, 
of all ages and all classes. To God be all the glory 
given for all that He has done. There are some who 
have been R. Catholic, Universalists, and would-be 
Deists, etc. I thank God for all His kindness towards all 
this people. Then, as is always the case, the Lord open- 
ed the hearts of the people to desire more, and they took 
an expression to have me stay longer. I felt reluctant 
so to do, but I finally consented thus to do. Hence this 
letter. The people in Dexter feel very anxious, and yet 
I am very fearful that hope deferred maketh the heart 
sad, and do not know what will be the effect. But I 
must close this with a word to the children, which was 
dated March 23. 

Yours affectionately, 

L. A. WICKES. 



344 LIFE AND LETTERS OF^ 

Finish of Spend your time usefully, and try to 

next letter, make each other happy. And improve all the 

time you can in your books, and may God be with you, 

and you love the Savior, is the earnest prayer of your 

affectionate father, 

L. A. WICKES. 
Hope to be home in a few days. Love to all. Pray 
much. 



Cape Vincent, March 23, 1850. 
My Dear Children: 

I trust before this you have received my letter de- 
scriptive of my journey to this place, directed to your very 
dear mother. The village contains some six hundred in- 
habitants. Quite a number French and Canadians. The 
moral influence is not very good. Infidelity has a very 
strong hold upon the minds of the people. Men, and wo- 
men too, deny the Bible and the existence of God. They 
have two church edifices, Episcopal and Presbyterian. 
The Presbyterian is of stone, with the woodwork and 
steeple on the outside painted a light brown. It has 
quite a large porch. Session room over the porch that 
would accommodate some seventy-five or more persons. 
This church has fifty-four seats which will hold six per- 
sons each, (Sarah, how many will that seat?) besides an 
orchestra that will hold fifty, perhaps more. The pulpit 
in the back end of the church with an ordinary sofa in it, 
and the floor of the whole church carpeted. It is situ- 
ated on Main street, which runs east and west nearly a 
mile long. It faces the north and is quite a pleasant lo- 
cation. Morning of Monday, 25. Since writing the 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 345 

above I have taken a walk out. I went upon the river, 
as the ice was still across it or nearly so. I went into 
one of the stores, and it is a hell upon earth. Drinking, 
and gambling, and swearing, a most miserable hole. I 
would not dwell in such a hole as that for all earth calls 
dear. 

I have some fears of the powers of infidelity that are 
so prevalent here. But still I know that the- Lord's arm 
is very strong, and there is no arm like unto His, and it 
is His own course, and He will "make the wrath of man 
to praise Him." There seems to be an increase of feeling 
here, though I found things different from what I had an- 
ticipated when I came here. I found that there were 
very few who attended the meeting except professors, 
and but few of them. The church is now quite well 
filled, and some forty forward for prayers last evening, 
converts and all. One oi them has just been in to see 
me, by the name of H., a man sixty years of age. He 
appears very well. His wife, his only child and her hus- 
band, have given up all to God. Blessed be His name. 
My health this morning not quite as good as usual, but 
hope for the best. Monday evening, half-past ten. I 
have just returned from meeting. I will spend a few 
moments in writing. At the meeting this afternoon 
there were some six or seven hopefully converted. It 
was the most melting time I have seen in a good while. 
This evening there were somewhere between fifty and 
sixty forward for prayer, converts and all, and nearly all 
of them hopefully gave up all to Christ. To God be all 
the glory. I wish my dear children were here to enjoy 
it with me. I do sometimes feel that I cannot consent 
to be absent so much and you not have the privilege of 

22 



346 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

the means of grace. I feel that it is robbing you of the 
greatest blessings to shut you out from the stated means 
of grace. But let us truly look to the Savior for His 
guiding hand to lead us according to His will and He 
will guide us for our good. 



Stows Square, March 14, 1850. 
Dear Mother: 

I have been home only a week and been confined to 
the house most of the time since my return home. My 
labors were so fatiguing that it brought on some of my 
old complaints and I have been obliged to lie still for a 
few days, though I find it is very hard work for me 
when they are all saying, "Come over and help us." Such 
is the state of religion in all the region where I have been 
laboring, that I have most urgent calls from eight differ- 
ent churches, and the spirit of God is awakening sinners 
in all that region. 

The meeting I last held continued six weeks, and 
would have gone on longer but I had to come to attend 
Surrogate's Court. The meeting was in a most blessed 
state when it closed. Between the afternoon and evening 
there were some forty persons came to my room for 
prayer and counsel, and several for the first time called 
upon the Lord. That evening there were some one hun- 
dred and eighty came forward for prayers ; after which I 
gave an opportunity for such as hoped they had given 
all to Christ to speak, and then one hundred and ten got 
up and spoke, and I had no chance to close the meeting 
until half-past eleven o'clock and then all seemed loth to 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 347 

leave the place. Some went home weeping, some went 
singing, and some went praying. And all feeling the 
work must not cease. There were from one hundred and 
thirty to one hundred and fifty hopeful conversions, and 
from the child of twelve to the man of seventy. Most 
of them were youngerly people, and the majority were 
males. To God be all the glory and honor, for all 
that has been done is by His might, for Paul may 
plant and Apollos may water, but God alone giveth the 
increase. I do feel that it is a privilege to be allowed to 
work in the vineyard of the Lord, and be instrumental in 
leading souls to the paths of peace. Let the world have 
its riches and boast of its glory, but give me the glory of 
leading souls to Jesus Christ, and be counted a fool for 
Christ's sake. I shall probably leave home again as soon 
as I am able, and for how long I cannot say. 

If my health should not prove good, I then shall take 
another course. But may the will of the Lord be done 
in my heart and in all of us.' C. and all the rest send 
love to you and all. 

Your son, 

L. A. WICKES. 



CHAPTEE XXVI. 




COPENHAGEN AND LAST SICKNESS. 



FTER the close of the meeting in Cape Vincent, 
|) he came home and staid about two week, trying 
to recruit his health by out door labor on his 
little farm of twelve acres, not all paid for. He was in 
constant reception of letters urging his presence in differ- 
ent directions. He preached two Sabbaths in Copen- 
hagen, the last time taking his wife with him. This was 
on May 5th, 1850, the text on Sabbath afternoon 
was from Mark 6: 12. "And they went out and 
preached, that men should repent." While in the desk he 
felt in such pain that it was noticed, and when questioned 
why he did not stop, he said, "I thought it might be the 
last and tried to finish the work." He went to his 
boarding place, and the results will be found in the fol- 
lowing letters : 

Copenhagen, May 7, 1850. 
Dear Sister and Children : 

I suppose you looked for us home yesterday, and 
wondered some why we did not come. I will tell you. 
Your pa did not feel well Sabbath morning, but preached 
twice, and came back sick to Mr. Kilburn's, where we 
staid Saturday night. We sent for Dr. S. but he was 
not at home, we tried to doctor him all night, but he did 

•348 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 349 

not feel any better in the morning, so we sent for the 
doctor again, but he had not got home. Then Mr. 
K. called in the Dutch doctor. He attended faithfully 
to him through the day, yesterday, and this morning he 
brought Dr. S. with him, and they both say he is not 
able to ride home now. And Dr. S. says he ought not 
to go home until next week, but we hope much sooner. 
His disease, congestion of the lungs, bilious stomach, and 
general debility. We are in the midst of the kindest ol 
friends, but you know we came away without bringing 
one extra garment, thinking we should be home by Mon- 
day. (Here several necessary articles were named to be 
put into a valise, and pa gave some directions about 
some necessary work, etc., and telling all at home to do 
the best they could, to send to us by the bearer of this 
letter.) I trust through a kind Providence we shall not be 
detained here long, though pa is quite weak now. The 
pain in his lungs, head and back are somewhat relieved, 
except weakness he complains of pain between his shoul- 
der blades, and his blister on his stomach. He thought 
he ought to be bled, but the doctors thought not best. 
He vomited some, but we gave him a cathartic, which 
operated copiously. Of course he will be necessarily 
considerably prostrated. You shall hear if there is any 
unfavorable change hereafter. 

Your affectionate sister and mother, 

C. WICKES 



Copenhagen, May 8, 1850. 
Dear Children : 

Sickness. No doubt you are wishing to hear about your 
dear pa. Yesterday he was under the influence of a ca- 



350 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

thartic and another blister; rested some the latter part 
of the night. This morning I thought his symptoms all 
were favorable, but he seems considerably exhausted 
after writing a short letter to Mr. Coleman. He has 
some fears that the seat of the inflammation on his lungs 
is not broken up. He coughs very little, expectorates 
some, not quite as easily or freely as yesterday. Talking 
tires him exceedingly. Countenance at times indicates 
jaundice. Has not had his clothes on since last Sabbath 
night. The German doctor went to Adams yesterday, 
returned to-night. Dr. S. called last eve. We expect 
him again to-day. They agree in their practice. But 
the Lord only can make any means efficacious. If he 
has a work for us in Copenhagen or anywhere else, I 
trust He will prepare us and give us strength to perform 
it, and when our work is done may we be ready to go 
where none shall say I am sick. I was glad of the things 
you sent. Friends are very kind. I do not know as we 
could have gotten a man in the county as good a nurse 
as Mr. K. P. M. Pa's pulse ranges about ioo. Dr. 
has not been in to-day. Cannot say that I think he is 
materially worse though he appears a little more feverish. 
I have been anticipating if the weather would be good 
we should return home this week, but we will try to be 
content with what seems best. There was a female 
prayer meeting, and a very good one. It was appointed 
last Sabbath. I did not then think of being detained 
here so as to attend it. If we do not go home will write 
again. In the meantime be good children and pray that 
the Lord will take us all under His special care and grant 
what will be for our best good. Love to all. 
Your affectionate mother, 

C. WICKES. 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 351 

8th. Mr. W.'s symptoms all appeared better. The 
doctor left him to visit other patients at some distance; 
was absent all night. After all had retired, Mr. W. arose 
and wrote a letter, then woke his wife, who was asleep 
on the sofa near his bedroom, wishing her to address the 
letter and see it mailed in the morning ; he then retired, 
but was restless the remainder of the night and the next 
day. Instead of having regained his rest and renewed 
strength, he felt an extreme debility, loss of appetite for 
any food ; felt some discouragement, as he could not ride 
home. Still hoping all for the best, anxious friends were 
ready to anticipate and meet every want which they 
could. The doctor returned hoping to find him convales- 
cent, but found him in rather a feverish state. Dr. S. 
also came in to see him. They concluded he was having 
a relapse of his bilious disease. They immediately com- 
menced taking him through a pretty severe course of 
treatment to break up the bilious symptoms, which they 
thought made him appear so feverish. This added to 
the prostration of his nervous system. He continued to 
exhibit the same feverish state until the 14th, when a 
council of physicians met. After some consultation it 
was then thought a course of salivation would break up 
the disease, and his naturally strong constitution would 
enable him to regain his health. His attending physi- 
cians pursued the advice, but "man's ways are not as 
God's ways, nor his thoughts as God's thoughts." His 
nervous system became so exhausted it seemed advisable 
to send for the dear children to visit him, as he might 
not be able to communicate or know them. When they 
first came in he appeared to know and smiled to see 
them. They staid all night. He was not unconscious, 



352 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

but a stupor came over him, mostly during the night. 
The little daughters were taken to his bed in the' morn- 
ing and he was told they had got ready to leave and go 
home. He replied, " Will they not stay all night ? " not 
realizing that they had staid through the night. He 
then seemed to be sensible of their presence. He desired 
them to always be good children, remember to keep up 
the family altar, then kissed them good-bye and immedi- 
ately relapsed into a stupor. They never heard the 
loved voice of their dear affectionate pa again. Nothing 
but the precious promises of our blessed Savior could 
sustain at such an hour. He continued to sink notwith- 
standing every effort to revive and raise him up, except 
when after moments of extreme pain he was relieved, he 
then would thank the Lord for the respite from pain. 
The last night he suffered much from bodily pain. On 
Sabbath morning he gave up all hopes of recovery; he 
called and wished to see his dear wife— commended her 
and the children to the Lord, unable to say more. 
About nine o'clock A. M., May 19, 1850, while the bell 
was calling the people to assemble at the church where 
he stood and delivered his sermon, just two weeks before, 
he was summoned to join the assembly above and 
worship in the presence of the Savior whom he adored 
and so faithfully served while here on earth. On Tues- 
day, the 2 1st, a large concourse assembled at the church 
in Copenhagen, where the Rev. Mr. Spears preached an 
appropriate funeral sermon from John 13:7. Jesus said, 
" What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know 
hereafter." His remains were then conveyed to and interred 
in the family burying-ground at Stow's Square. His 
bereaved family received many letters and tokens of con- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 353 

dolence from those who had been benefited by his 
instructions and prayers, 

"The memory of the just is blessed." "He that 
winneth souls is wise." 



DEPAUVILLE, May 14, 1850. 
Dear Brother Wickes: 

The opening of your letter caused me a good deal of 
pain. Oh, brother, your family have claims on you. I 
believe it is your duty to have some care of your health. 
I don't know as I should find fault with you, for the 
Lord has promised to be with all those who put their 
trust in Him. I believe "it is safer to wear out than 
rust out." But then I think of your family. We here 
sympathize with you in your affliction, and pray that the 
Lord will make your afflictions a blessing to yourself and 
family and the church of our Lord. There is still a good 
state of feeling in this place. Our Sabbath-school has 
commenced, and there were over one hundred scholars 
present last Sabbath to recite. 

When I mentioned your sickness in the school it pro- 
duced a great feeling. Oh, I wish you would come here 
and see us when you get better, we all want to see you, 
it would do us good, we love your Captain, or I 
think there are some here who do. Remember the 
Fourth of July ; we shall soon make the arrangements for 
the same. E. M. has been very sick and there was very 
little prospect of her recovery, but to day she is some 
better. You have the prayers of all the people here for 



354 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

your speedy recovery. Mrs. C. and mother send respects 
to yourself and family. 

Respectfully yours, 

ABEL COLEMAN. 
In haste. Write soon. 




CHAPTER XXVII. 



FUNERAL SERMON, AND TESTIMONIALS. 




XTRACTS from a sermon by Rev. G. Cross on the 
death of Rev. L. A. Wickes, preached at Canton 
Falls, May 30th, 1850, at Richville, June 7th, at 
Lisbon June 16th, and by invitation delivered at Den- 
mark in presence of his family the same fall. 

Text, II. Cor., 11 : 23. "In labors more abun- 
dant." It has been customary in all ages, the history of 
which has been written, for men of serious thought, to 
remember with gratitude to God, those who have been 
benefactors to their fellow men, both in church and State. 
This is required in Scripture and not censured if not de- 
generated into the idolatry of " worshiping the creature 
more than the Creator." In the history of the church 
we read of marked instances where the people of God 
have paid great respect for their dead whose services had 
been owned and blest of God in ameliorating the physical 
and moral conditions of man, especially those who have 
labored for the good of His common Zion. I may be 
permitted to say that my long and endearing acquain- 
tance with my dear brother Wickes does require of me, 
public attestation of his personal and ministerial worth, 
and which was purely by the grace of God. 
The great object of the Apostleship of Paul, was the sal- 
vation of souls and confirming Christians in the truth. 

355 



356 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

This blessed work called forth all the energies of his 
mind, in it he was "willing to spend and be spent," to ac- 
complish which, he did "not count his life dear unto him- 
self" so that he might finish his course with joy, and the 
ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus. In 
this he labored, and in it he died ; when he ceased to 
labor for Christ, his soul went from the martyr's stake, 
home to glory. 

The review that we have referred to, was of the life 
of one who was an inspired man ; one who sustained an 
extraordinary relation to the church universal. Still we 
believe that the words may be used by us on this occa- 
sion appropriately, for the reviewing in a brief manner, 
the ministerial life of our lamented brother Wickes. 

Let me say in particular that it is a cause of gratitude 
to the great head of the church, that our brother was so 
fully prepared for so extensive usefulness in our Master s 
vineyard. It is given but to a few, to be so peculiarly 
endowed with ministerial gifts, by which much good was 
accomplished in the way of immediate effect to those 
who enjoyed the privilege of sitting under his ministry 
only for a few weeks, to many of whom it was a " sa- 
vor of life unto life." 

I. He was abundant in his studies. When time 
permitted he was studious to acquire all knowledge 
which was necessary for the faithful discharge of minis- 
terial duties. He believed and practiced on the principle 
that it was not commendable for a minister to attempt 
to communicate to others what he did not understand 
himself. It was his invariable rule to acquire distinct 
and intelligent views of any subject which he intended 
to present to others, and to make all knowledge which 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 357 

he possessed subservient to the great object of present- 
ing truth. The fund of knowledge which he had acquired 
was taxed constantly for the purpose of elucidating 
truth, that his hearers might understand and embrace it. 
But aside from human science, he was an industrious and 
devoted student of the Bible. Not only did he make it 
a text book, but a devotional book. By its precious con- 
tents he strove to nourish his own soul, and by so doing 
feed others with the same spiritual manna. And when 
time would permit, and as far as the subject on which 
his thoughts were fixed, required, he was a critical reader 
of the Scriptures. Very few of his discourses were weak 
for not having them well strengthened and fortified with 
scriptural quotations. The doctrinal and practical proof 
texts drawn from this source occupied their proper places 
in his sermons. 

To accomplish this, he searched from page to page, 
and did not rest satisfied till he had found and incorpo- 
rated in his skeleton, or manuscript, every passage of 
Holy Writ which proved the doctrine or practice under 
discussion. 

He possessed a very great facility in turning from 
passage to passage, and thus file in quotation after quo- 
tation to prove the point he wished to urge on the atten- 
tion of his hearers. (When some complained, that for 
this, his sermons were too lengthy, when at Canton his 
elder brother, Rev. R. Pettibone, wished him to continue 
the practice, for it was the truth that converted sinners.) 
When engaged in protracted efforts, it was his custom 
to read the Bible systematically, that he might bring out 
from its rich treasures things new and old. He obeyed 
the command, "Search the Scriptures," that he might di- 



358 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

vide aright the word of truth. He studied the Scrip- 
tures, I repeat, that he might preach them. All who 
have listened to his sermons do testify that he brought to 
view many passages, that are not usually sounded by 
the ordinary blowing of the gospel trumpet. This was 
acknowledged by his older brethren in the ministry. 
With it striving to obey the command given to Timothy 
by Paul, "Strive to be a workman that needeth not to be 
ashamed," yea to be an able minister of the New Testa- 
ment. 

II. He labored more abundantly in prayer. This 
armor of conquest seemed to be always on him. Al- 
ways ready to meet every spiritual enemy by it, or to 
assist the pilgrim in any situation in which he might be 
placed. By this gift he would discover to the disconso- 
late child of God the pillar of fire by night and the cloudy 
pillar by day, that he might go on his way rejoicing. 
The gift that was given to him by the great head of the 
church, the spirit of supplication, was of a wrestling kind. 
He seemed to have passed it maturely, while as yet he 
was not regularly inducted into the ministry, and he ever 
improved it to the edification of those who listened to 
his earnest entreaties at the throne of grace. How the 
heart was moved ! It melted down by the soul-stirring 
pathos of his depicting supplications. It mattered but 
little how cold, dry and formal the feeling that might per- 
vade, when the spirit of prayer was on htm, the souls of 
the pious would be moved, and the lukewarm stirred up, 
and the impenitent would listen and often melt before its 
softening influence. Verily he labored abundantly in 
this gift. 

He acted on the resolution of David: that ^t morn 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 359 

ing, noon and evening, he would bow before the Lord 
and supplicate His favor. (The Rev. R. P. spoke of his 
being heard early in the morning pouring out his heart 
in prayer to the mercy seat.) Such was his habit that 
we may say of a surety, that in improving this gift, he 
departed not from the altar of devotion. He might at 
times have been too personal, but it was zeal that 
prompted to the effort, that he might discern, as far as 
human effort could, between those who do good and those 
who do evil. I would not exaggerate or eulogize beyond 
the truth, but it is my conviction that the gift of prayer 
bestowed on our departed brother and willingly improved 
by him, has done much instrumentally, for the past 
twenty years, to irrigate the thirsty hill of Zion with 
rain and dews of heaven, throughout the whole region 
where God in His providence has called him to labor. 
Under God, it has often broken up the thick and gross 
darkness of the mind, dispelled the dark clouds of unbe- 
lief, and turned the thoughts of the impenitent within 
that they might see their own vile hearts; and by the 
same means, how often has the compassion of God been 
manifested. The expiring, bleeding Savior portrayed as 
dying on the cross for sinners, with outstretched arms of 
mercy ! So far as the form is concerned, how many cases 
he has presented to the mercy seat? How many times 
he has bowed the knee before the " Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ " to beg of Him for pardon and salvation, 
that the feet of the impenitent might be taken from the 
horrible pit and miry clay, and set upon the Rock of 
Ages. It was his custom to pray for faith, that he might 
have his confidence unshaken in God, especially in his 
efforts to do good. His labors in this gift are closed. 



360 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

He sleeps in Jesus; he needs not to pray. That entreat- 
ing voice is hushed in death ; those imploring eyes closed 
in the long slumber of death, and his voice will remain 
silent till the archangel shall bid him rise for greater 
services in a more ample sphere than earth. But the 
spirit that has fled has been doubtless attuned to praise, 
yet it sings but one song, and that is, "The song of 
Moses and the Lamb." And as he wakes no more to 
pray nor to entreat, let those whosoever heard him pray, 
remember that it was not for naught in the mind of God 
that they had the privilege. 

III. He was abundant in preaching the word. 

I declare this before many who can bear witness that 
I lie not. It was not only his prayer that he might 
"rightly divide the word and give to each their por- 
tion in due season, but to give line upon line and 
precept upon precept." And he labored night and day 
that he might be a faithful steward to the household of 
faith for his Master. Whatever of talent, or science, or 
acquisition, he readily brought it and laid it down at the 
feet of his Redeemer. His gift was not locked up by 
him like money in a chest ; or as a lamp, trimmed and 
put under a bushel ; but was diffused abroad, or placed 
in a conspicuous place, that all might be benefited. He 
dwelt under the canopy of devotion while preaching. 
He went into the desk after earnest prayer for the divine 
blessing to accompany the word dispensed, and when 
the seed of the word was sown he looked to God again 
that it might take deep root in the heart and bring forth 
the fruit of salvation ; and he desired soon to return to 
scatter abundantly more of the precious word of truth. 

His labors in various sections made him personally 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 361 

acquainted with incidents which were skillfully used by 
him, and that often with great effect in impressing truth 
on the minds of his hearers. 

The history of David informs us that he brought all 
the spoils which he acquired by conquest and devoted 
them to build the temple of God. So should every min- 
ister do with the spoils he may win, make all subserve 
the one great purpose of enforcing truth. On this plan 
our deceased brother ever labored. As far as human 
mind could scan, nothing escaped his notice ; by observa- 
tion and reading he gathered materials from the land and 
from the ocean, from the battle-field and social circle, 
from the learned, from the unlearned, from the lightnings 
that play on the bosom of the angry clouds, and from 
the thunders that roll in its forked' pathway, from the 
devastating tornado and the gentle zephyr and favoring 
breeze, from the huge mountain and the bubble on the 
water (under the ice*), from the joy of recovering a 
lost child, and from the fear of, or an actual plunge over 
Niagara's awful cataract, from the deep distress of a soul 
from a sense of sin and from a soul rejoicing in the love 
of Christ, from the living and from the dead, from things 
animate and inanimate, and above all, from the law and 
historical facts of the Bible and the full gospel of Christ 
— from the happy pair that dwelt in Eden and from its 
pleasant bowers, from the tragical scene of Cain and 
Abel, from Enoch walking with God, from Abraham 



* When a youth, one dav, while on the river, walking on the ice 
he saw, as he supposed, a piece of silver looking like a twenty -five 
cent piece. Elated at the idea of obtaining it, he hastened to procure 
a tool to extricate it from the ice, and, upon breaking it up, found to 
his disappointment, it was only a bubble! 

23 



362 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

pleading with the angel of the covenant, and from his 
offering in faith his son, and from Moses pleading with 
God and Jacob wrestling with the angel, from Joshua's 
pious resolve to serve God and Gideon's overthrow of 
the Midianites, from Elijah ascending to heaven and 
Elisha curing Naaman, from Nehemiah building up the 
walls of Jerusalem and Esther going before the king to 
plead for herself and people, and from the patience of 
Job and the devotions of David, from all the force of the 
language of the prophets, from the austerity of John the 
Baptist and the zeal of the apostles, from the infinite 
motives drawn from the life and death of the Son of God, 
by the attractions of His cross, His burial and resurrec- 
tion, and from all the pointed passages that treat of the 
depravity of the human heart, and that speak of the sor- 
rows of the lost and happiness of the redeemed. These 
all were used by him to instruct and enforce truth. 
Though sometimes in a mirthful manner, yet as often of the 
solemn and melting, often of the most encouraging de- 
scription to the child of grace, that he might gird his soul 
for a new conquest by grace. He usually succeeded 
by the Spirit when God's people asked for bread 
not to give them a stone, or for an egg not to 
give them a scorpion, not to conduct to the stale 
putrid cistern rather than the living overflowing 
stream of salvation. There was, by grace and gifts 
bestowed, in his administration, much to comfort 
and edify the pilgrim in his march to the Canaan of rest, 
much to rouse the backslider in heart and to convince 
the impenitent " of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment 
to come." His gift was of a rallying kind. He never 
enjoyed himself better than when he was associated with 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 363 

praying people and had the sacramental host around him 
moving on to conquest. Few ministers preached as 
much as he did, by day and by night. It is well-known 
to the public that for several years his labors continued 
as an evangelist, with but little cessation. He has 
labored in protracted efforts as much as three years of 
continued labor since 1841. In such meetings he usually 
preached fourteen sermons in a week, making in all two 
thousand one hundred and seventy sermons in the time 
specified. This is as near as I can estimate by the facts 
in my possession. I do not say that it is to a fraction. 
I think it true on the whole. This would be more than 
ten years of ordinary preaching at the rate of four 
sermons per week. Besides this his exhortations and 
instructions around the anxious seat and to the promis- 
cuous assembly was usually as much as an ordinary ser- 
mon each day and evening We may add to this his 
seasons of prayer in private, in the social circle, at the 
opening and closing up of religious services, and for the 
anxious, whom, except in a few instances, I never knew 
him, and may venture to say, nor others ever knew him 
to leave till he had prayed for and instructed them to come 
to the Savior. Probably he preached to or addressed 
public assemblies between six and seven thousand times 
while he was laboring in his Master's vineyard on earth; 
probably some three thousand times more than ordinary 
preachers in the same time. When he labored statedly 
in one church he was very active in conducting the Bible 
class and Sabbath-school, and the benevolent institu- 
tions of the day were plead by him with success. 

His was a warm heart towards every cause which 
had for its object the amelioration of the human family. 



364 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

The principles of peace, purity of heart and life, the cause 
of temperance, and freedom from oppression in all its 
forms were deeply rooted in his soul, while the conver- 
sion of sinners to God was the first object of his life. 
" He that winneth souls to God is wise." (Letter from 
his widow.) 

He labored extensively in the counties of Jefferson, 
Lewis and St. Lawrence, and some in Franklin, Oswego 
and Oneida. There are but a few towns in the three 
first mentioned counties where he was not generally 
known as an evangelist whose labors were blessed of 
God to the conversion of many souls, few inhabitants in 
these towns who usually attend religious worship that 
had not heard him preach. 

It is not for me to say how many expressed a saving 
change of heart in the meetings conducted by him. I 
may say, that within the bounds of charity, he has wit- 
nessed the conversion of three thousand souls in meetings 
held by him and other meetings which he attended, while 
a candidate for the ministry. But the great day that 
will reveal the secrets of all hearts, can disclose the true 
number saved by his instrumentality. In a physical 
sense, as well as moral and religious, we can see that it 
must require a large amount of labor to perform so much 
ministerial service. To have journeyed from county to 
county and from town to town, and in all seasons of the 
year, carried forward so arduous a work as efforts which 
he was engaged in required. " He must have been in 
labors more abundant" 

You may think lightly of such labors, you may say 
that' they were eclipsed by human imperfection. Let us 
think soberly for a moment, and let candor and true judg- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 365 

ment prevail. Let facts speak, let truth utter her voice, 
and we shall learn that the Lord spoke to a very great 
degree by such means. So that hundreds of souls have 
been converted to the truth as it is in Jesus, by them, 
many of whom are now rejoicing in heaven. We 'dare 
not say that on the whole evil has been done. Who will 
say that God has cursed and not blessed? "Wisdom is 
justified of her children." Has not the manna by these 
means fallen around our tabernacle ? Can we wish that 
it had not been given to us? Rather let us think that it 
came from the good hand of our God. If the ratio of 
doing good as recorded by one is true, " that if one soul 
is converted and that one is the means of the conversion 
of two more, and let this ratio roll on a thousand years, 
the sum would amount to 60,000. Reckon according to 
this ratio, and the labors of our departed brother, with a 
starting point within the bounds of charity, would 
amount to the startling sum of 90,000,000 of souls saved 
through his instrumentality, or his labors laid the founda- 
tion for this amount of good. I make this statement not 
to boast of the dead, but to show how the Lord can 
bless; and who will say that He cannot thus by small 
means, when He has set in His statutes the promise " that 
one can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand 
to flight," and that those "who turn many to righteous- 
ness shall shine as the stars in the firmament forever and 
ever." I may say of Brother Wickes, that he was an in- 
structive preacher. A practical preacher by doctrine 
and practice. He was a wise preacher. His discourses 
judiciously selected. He was a plain preacher. His 
hearers could understand him. He was faithful to ex- 
pose sin. He was an animated preacher. The great 



366 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

compass of his voice made him touchingly eloquent. He 
was a successful preacher. His soul was formed for 
friendship. In his domestic circle he was kind and 
affable. So in the social circle. His brow was scarcely 
ever knit with anger, but to rebuke sin. He was a man 
of great moral courage. In this quality he exceeded in 
his profession. I never knew him to quail before the 
transgressor. In all his labors he sought to find out ac- 
ceptable words. He is gone! The candle has been re- 
moved from its place in the sanctuary. The laborer has 
been called out of the Master's vineyard. The form of a 
good man has passed away from before us. One who 
was extensively known. Of friends he had many; so of 
enemies, it might be said for righteousness' sake. Did he 
not pray and labor for Zion ? Was not the Lord with 
him by His spi?'it ? True his abundant labors could not 
save him ; nor others meritoriously. " It is not by might 
nor by power," etc. " Paul may plant and Apollos wa- 
ter," etc. He was a reaper and a gleaner in God's har- 
vest field. He gathered good fruit for the people of 
God. He always came down from the land of Canaan 
bearing on his shoulders fruit as pleasant as the grapes 
of Eschol; and with what adroitness he would give them 
to his hearers. Christian friends, when shall we have an- 
other Christian teacher like him ? God may yet be kind. 
May He raise up laborers after His own heart and send 
them forth into His vineyard. But let us be grateful for 
past favors. He has given us much good instruction. 
" Being dead, he yet speaketh to us." The voice from the 
grave seems to say, " Remember the words that I de- 
clared while I was yet with you." Has he not stood 
with us in the awful front of the battle by God's com- 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKES. 367 

mand, and like our great statesman who rose to speak 
and was struck with death, and breathed his last 
in the capital of the nation, so our brother was preaching 
in the pulpit when the last summons came by sickness 
that terminated his earthly existence. As our two 
great statesmen died on the 4th of July, the Nation's 
birthday; on the day they loved, so it was on the Sab- 
bath morning that he closed his eyes forever on the light 
of the sun, to sleep, we hope, in Jesus. He was cut 
down with his armor on. " Blessed is that servant who, 
when his Master cometh, He shall find so doing." He 
shall appoint him ruler over much ; and what shall I say 
to those persons present who believed not under the 
preaching of our departed brother ? He held three differ- 
ent meetings in this place, almost every impenitent per- 
son residing here at the different times that he was 
here, heard him declare the word of life. Do you blame 
us for introducing him to you as the servant of God? 
We do feel grieved to-day that you did no more attend 
to the words which he spoke, as well as others who have 
visited us as the servants of God. We would weep 
tears of pity, for the hectic flush of the sure and fatal 
disease of sin is yet on your cheeks, that betokens eternal 
death. Is there no physician that can heal you? None, 
except ye believe. But did not our brother faithfully 
converse with you on the important subject of your 
soul's salvation ? Did he not use many arguments 
drawn from the law and gospel, from heaven, earth and 
hell to convince you of your need of accepting of the 
offers of the Savior? He will never come to Richville 
and Lisbon again to preach to you, but he will meet you 
at the judgment seat of Christ and be a witness against 



368 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

you, and this by the appointment of the Lord. Once 
more, in this manner he speaks to you. We come with 
the news of his death, with his coffin and winding sheet, 
with his pale countenance, which you have seen so 
smiling, and beaming with love, and ask you to remem- 
ber his words. 

" High in the temple of the living God 

He stood amid the people, and declared 

Aloud the truth, the whole revealed truth, 

Ready to seal it with his blood. Divine 

Resemblance most complete; with mercy now 

And love, his face illumined, shown gloriously ; 

And frowning now indignantly, it seemed 

As if offended justice from his eye, 

Streamed forth vindictive wrath! Man heard, 

The uncircumcised infidel believed. 

Light thought, mirth, grew serious and wept; 

The laugh profane sank in a sigh of deep 

Repentance ; the blasphemer, kneeling, prayed, 

And prostrate in the dust, for mercy called. 

Such was his calling, his commission such. 

Yet he was humble, kind, forgiving, meek, 

Easy to be entreated, gracious, mild ; 

And with all patience and affection, taught. 

Rebuked, persuaded, solaced, counseled, warned, 

In fervent style and manner. 

A skillful workman he 

In God's great moral vineyard ; what to prune 

With curious hand he knew, what to uproot; 

What were weeds and what celestial plants. 

Which had immortal vigor in them, knew, 

Nor knew alone, but watched them night and day, 

And reared and nourished them, till fit to be 

Transplanted to the paradise above. 

Oh, who can speak his praise! great, humble man! 

He in the current of destruction stood, 

And warned the sinner of his woe; led on 



LEWIS ALFRED WICKKS. 369 

Immanuel's soldiers in the evil day, 

And with the everlasting arms embraced 

Himself around, stood in the dreadful front 

Of battle high, and warred victoriously 

With death and hell. And now has come his rest. 

His triumph dayP 

"And I heard a voice from heaven, say unto me: 
Write, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from 
henceforth, yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from 
their labors, and their works do follow them." Brethren, 
let us pray, that our acquaintance with our brother may 
be renewed where parting shall not be known. May 
God bless his bereaved family, for His Son's sake, to whom 
be glory and dominion in earth and heaven forever and 
ever. Amen and Amen. 



The following is an extract from the minutes of Black 
River Association : 

Sister Wickes : 

The Moderator having announced that since our 
last meeting it had pleased God in His providence to re- 
move from us our highly esteemed and much beloved 
brother, Rev. Lewis A. Wickes, the following minute was 
adopted : Inasmuch as we are called upon to record the 
death of Brother Wickes, who, after a brief illness, de- 
parted this life in joyful hope of a blessed immortality, at 
Copenhagen, Lewis County, the 19th of May, in the 41st 
year of his age, and the nineteenth of his ministry, hav- 
ing labored nine years in the churches at Stows Square 
and Antwerp, and a little over nine years as an Evangel- 



370 LIFE AND LETTERS OF 

ist in the counties of St. Lawrence, Franklin, Oneida, 
Oswego, Lewis and Jefferson. Therefore 

Resolved, That the churches in this region have 
occasion to mourn. And as an Association we feel 
deeply afflicted in the dispensation of Divine Providence, 
which has removed from our fraternal intercourse and 
from an extensive field of usefulness a dear brother, who 
had but just passed the meridian of life, and who mani- 
fested a single-hearted devotedness and an untiring zeal 
in the work of his high calling, until from the pulpit he 
was summoned to his final account, and that while we 
bow in humble submission to the will of Him whose 
ways are unsearchable and who doeth all things well, we 
regard the event as a voice from our Master, saying, 
" Work while the day lasts ; be ye also ready." 

Resolved, That while we extend to the bereaved 
family and relatives, in their deep affliction, our affection- 
ate remembrance and tender sympathy, we also rejoice 
that God, in His abounding goodness, has so richly com- 
mingled their cup with the consolations of His grace, and 
that we most earnestly commend them to Him who has 
not only promised to direct the steps of those who com- 
mit their way unto Him, but to be " the widow's God, 
and a father to the fatherless." 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to 
the family of the deceased, and also to the editors of the 
" Independent" and the New York " Evangelist" for pub- 
lication. 

(Signed) H. H. Waite, 

Register for Association. 






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